The property was in the hands of a younger branch of the family then.

There was no entail, as now." "Wasn't there ?" said Gaston enigmatically.
He was thinking of some phrases in a manuscript which he had found in this box.
"Perhaps where these papers came from there are others," he added.
Sir William lifted his eyebrows ironically.

"I hardly think so." Gaston laughed, not wishing him to take the thing at all seriously.

He continued airily: "It would be amusing if the property went with the title after all, wouldn't it, sir ?" Sir William got to his feet and said testily: "That should never be while I lived!" "Of course not, sir." Sir William saw the bull, and laughed, heartily for him.
They bade each other good-night.
"I'll have a look in the solicitor's office all the same," said Gaston to himself..