There was no suggestion as to the use to be made of these facts; but there was such a statement of them as left their verification, I thought, easy.

I turned them over and over in my mind, and in the end resolved to gain all accessible information touching the present condition of things.

To this end, I sent over about two years ago, a man of prudence and intelligence, versed in legal matters, with instructions to obtain all possible particulars in regard to my brother, his family and estate.

He brought back word that my brother was dead; that he had left no children, and that his widow--if, indeed, she were ever his legal wife, which seemed to be doubted--was old, in poor health, and verging towards mental imbecility, if not insanity.

That there was a large and valuable estate, to which I, as sister of Captain Allen, was undoubtedly the heir.
"I kept these things, for the time being, to myself, and pondered over them in some perplexity as to the best course to take.