I have here the keys of his private secretary; and Mr.Furlong, the land-steward, who has just arrived, and whom you see in the room, tells me Sir Wycherly was accustomed to keep all his valuable papers in this piece of furniture.

I shall now proceed to open it." "Do so, Sir Reginald; no one can have a stronger desire than myself to ascertain my beloved uncle's pleasure.

Those to whom he _seemed_ to wish to give, even, shall not be losers for the want of his name." Tom was greatly raised in the opinions of half in the room, by this artful declaration, which was effectually securing just so many friends, in the event of any occurrence that might render such support necessary.
In the mean time, Sir Reginald, assisted by the steward, opened the secretary, and found the deposite of papers.

The leases were all in order; the title-deeds were properly arranged; the books and accounts appeared to be exactly kept: ordinary bills and receipts were filed with method; two or three bags of guineas proved that ready cash was not wanting; and, in short, every thing showed that the deceased had left his affairs in perfect order, and in a very intelligible condition.
Paper after paper, however, was opened, and nothing like a will, rough draft or copied, was to be found.

Disappointment was strongly painted on the faces of all the gentlemen present; for, they had ignorantly imbibed the opinion, that the production of a will would, in some unknown manner, defeat the hopes of the _soi-disant_ Sir Thomas Wychecombe.