he was the rightful earl--in which case our course would be plain--or it

would prove that he wasn't--in which case our course would be equally

plain. I have read his evidences, my lord. I have conned them well,

studied them patiently and thoroughly. The chain seems to be complete,

no important link wanting. I believe he is the rightful earl."

"And I a usurper--a--nameless pauper, a tramp! Consider what you are

saying, sir."

"Father, if he is the rightful earl, would you, could you--that fact

being established--consent to keep his titles and his properties from him

a day, an hour, a minute?"

"You are talking nonsense--nonsense--lurid idiotcy! Now, listen to me.

I will make a confession--if you wish to call it by that name. I did not

read those evidences because I had no occasion to--I was made familiar

with them in the time of this claimant's father and of my own father

forty years ago. This fellow's predecessors have kept mine more or less

familiar with them for close upon a hundred and fifty years. The truth

is, the rightful heir did go to America, with the Fairfax heir or about

the same time--but disappeared--somewhere in the wilds of Virginia, got

married, end began to breed savages for the Claimant market; wrote no

letters home; was supposed to be dead; his younger brother softly took

possession; presently the American did die, and straightway his eldest

product put in his claim--by letter--letter still in existence--and died

before the uncle in-possession found time--or maybe inclination--to

The American Claimant