It has already been said, that in this instrument, Sir Wycherly bequeathed all he had on earth, to "his nephew, Thomas Wychecombe, son, &c., &c.," making his heir, also, his executor.
"This will appears to me to have been drawn up by a very skilful lawyer; the late Baron Wychecombe," observed the baronet.
"It was, Sir Reginald," answered Tom, endeavouring to appear unconcerned.

"He did it to oblige my respected uncle, leaving blanks for the name of the devisee, not liking to make a will so very decidedly in favour of his own son.

The writing in the blanks is by Sir Wycherly himself, leaving no doubts of _his_ intentions." "I do not see but you may claim to be the heir of Wychecombe, sir, as well as of the personals; though your claims to the baronetcy shall certainly be contested and defeated." "And why defeated ?" demanded Wycherly, stepping forward for the first time, and speaking with a curiosity he found it difficult to control.
"Is not Mr.Thomas--_Sir_ Thomas, I ought rather to say,--the eldest son of the late Sir Wycherly's next brother; and, as a matter of course, heir to the title, as well as to the estate ?" "Not he, as I can answer from a careful examination of proofs.

Mr.Baron Wychecombe was never married, and thus _could have_ no heir at law." "Is this possible!--How have we all been deceived then, in America!" "Why do you say this, young gentleman?
Can _you_ have any legal claims here ?" "I am Wycherly, the _only_ son of Wycherly, who was the eldest son of Gregory, the younger brother of the late baronet; and if what you say be true, the next in succession to the baronetcy, at least." "This is--" Tom's words stuck in his throat; for the quiet, stern eye of the young sailor met his look and warned him to be prudent.--"This is a _mistake_," he resumed.

"My uncle Gregory was lost at sea, and died a bachelor.