He looked surprised, and for a moment or two bewildered.

Then opening the will, he read it through rapidly.

I saw the color leave his face as he progressed, and his hand move nervously.
It was plain that his mind took in, at a grasp, the entire series of consequences which the appearance of this document involved.
"This is a serious matter," he said, looking up at Mrs.Montgomery.
"It is," she answered, calmly.

"The will appears to be in legal form." "Yes." "And must go into the hands of those who are named as executors." "And be by them entered in the office of probate," added Wallingford.
"I would have placed it in their hands immediately on its discovery, but have, acting under advice from my kind friend here, waited until your return from England.

No interest has suffered, I presume, by this delay ?" "None." Wallingford bent his eyes to the floor, and sat for some time as if half-confounded by the discovery.
"What step will the executors probably take ?" I inquired.
"It will be their duty to assume possession of the estate, and hold it for the heirs of Mrs.Allen, if any are in existence," he replied.
"And it will be their duty to take all proper means for discovering these heirs ?" said I.
"Yes.