At the head of the long table sat the family attorney and his clerk.

Before them lay a japanned tin box, secured by a brass padlock.

It contained the last will, the letter, and other documents appertaining to the deceased banker's estate.

They were only waiting for the entrance of Miss Levison and her friends.

No one else was expected.
There was not the usual crowd of poor relatives who "crop up" at the reading of almost every rich man's will.