“Has Jones arrived in town?” was his first anxious question after the greetings.

“He is not registered at any of the hotels,” responded Mr. Grant, and Brewster did not see the troubled look that passed over his face.

“He’ll show up to-night, I presume,” said he, complacently.  The lawyers did not tell him that all the telegrams they had sent to Swearengen Jones in the past two weeks had been returned to the New York office as unclaimed in Butte.  The telegraph company reported that Mr. Jones was not to be found and that he had not been seen in Butte since the 3d of September.  The lawyers were hourly expecting word from Montana men to whom they had telegraphed for information and advice.  They were extremely nervous, but Montgomery Brewster was too eager and excited to notice the fact.

“A tall, bearded stranger was here this morning asking for you, Mr. Brewster,” said Ripley, his head bent over some papers on his desk.

“Ah!  Jones, I’m sure.  I’ve always imagined him with a long beard,” said Monty, relief in his voice.

“It was not Mr. Jones.  We know Jones quite well.  This man was a stranger and refused to give his name.  He said he would call at Mrs. Gray’s this afternoon.”

“Did he look like a constable or a bill-collector?” asked Monty, with a laugh.

“He looked very much like a tramp.”

“Well, we’ll forget him for the time being,” said Monty, drawing the report from his pocket.  “Would you mind looking over this report, gentlemen?  I’d like to know if it is in proper form to present to Mr. Jones.”

Grant’s hand trembled as he took the carefully folded sheet from Brewster.  A quick glance of despair passed between the two lawyers.

“Of course, you’ll understand that this report is merely a synopsis of the expenditures.  They are classified, however, and the receipts over there are arranged in such a way that Mr. Jones can very easily verify all the figures set out in the report.  For instance, where it says ‘cigars,’ I have put down the total amount that went up in smoke.  The receipts are to serve as an itemized statement, you know.”  Mr. Ripley took the paper from his partner’s hand and, pulling himself together, read the report aloud.  It was as follows: 

New York, Sept. 23, 19—.  To Swearengen Jones, ESQ.

Executor under the will of the late James T. Sedgwick of Montana: 

In pursuance of the terms of the aforesaid will and in accord with the instructions set forth by yourself as executor, I present my report of receipts and disbursements for the year in my life ending at midnight on Sept. 22.  The accuracy of the figures set forth in this general statement may be established by referring to the receipts, which form a part of this report.  There is not one penny of Edwin Peter Brewster’s money in my possession, and I have no asset to mark its burial place.  These figures are submitted for your most careful consideration.