Mr.B----shrugged his shoulders, and replied, "Floyd and the Judge are joint executors of old Allen's estate, you know." "What does that signify ?" inquired Mr.A----.
"It may signify a great deal.

They have trust funds in their possession to a large amount, I am told." "They are both honorable men, and would not violate their trust," said A----.
"I will not gainsay that," answered Mr.B----.

"Still, they may use these funds temporarily, and wrong no one." Nothing more was said in my presence, but I turned their remarks over and over again, feeling less satisfied the more I pondered them.

A day or two afterwards I met Mr.Wallingford, and said to him, "How comes on the search for the heirs of the Allen estate ?" The question caused him to look grave.
"No progress has been made, so far as I can learn," he answered.
"Isn't this indifference on the part of the executors a little extraordinary ?" I remarked.
"I must confess that I do not understand it," said the young lawyer.
"There is personal, as well as real estate ?" "Yes.

Stocks worth twenty thousand dollars." "I have heard it suggested, that trust funds in the case are going into Squire Floyd's mill." Wallingford started at the suggestion, and looked for some moments intently in my face; then dropped his eyes, and stood lost in thought a good while.
"Where did you hear the suggestion ?" he at length inquired.
I repeated the conversation just mentioned, and named the individuals with whom it had occurred.
"And now, Henry," said I, "put this hint, and the singular neglect of the executors to search for the heirs to the Allen property, together, and tell me how the matter shapes itself in your mind.