"My dear sir, if in any way I can help you I shall be glad to do so," answered Bolton. "I am a lawyer----" "Are you?" said the other eagerly. "I want to meet a good, honest and smart lawyer, who will undertake a case for me." Bolton pricked up his ears. This seemed to be a providential opportunity, of which he resolved to avail himself. "I should not like to praise myself," he said modestly, "but I think you will find me faithful to your interests." "No doubt of it, sir. Are you a New York lawyer?" "I am about to connect myself with a law firm in the city," answered Bolton, hoping that this statement might prove accurate. "Then you will be able to help me." "State your case, if you don't mind." Bolton took out a small memorandum-book, and, pencil in hand, sat ready to take down the important points. "Twenty years ago my father died, leaving an estate of fifty thousand dollars. It was divided equally between my sister Martha and myself. I married, and Martha for the last twenty years has been a member of my family. Being a spinster, with only herself to provide for, her property has doubled, while I, having several children, have barely held my own. Of course I expected that my children and myself would inherit Martha's money when she died." "Very natural, sir, and very just." "Well, Martha died last August. Imagine my dismay when her will was opened and proved to bequeath her entire estate to various charities in which she never took any particular interest when living." "Do you suspect anyone of influencing her to this disposition of her property?" "Yes, she had various conversations with a collector for these societies, who resided in the town during the summer, who sought an introduction when he learned that she was a lady of independent fortune. He called frequently, and flattered my sister, who had lately shown signs of mental weakness." "Did she cut off your family entirely in her will?" "Yes, she didn't leave even a dollar to any one of my children, though one of my daughters was named for her." "Was the collector entitled to a commission on sums secured for the societies which he represented?" "Yes, that is the cause of his zeal. He would make a very handsome percentage on an estate as large as my sister's." "But for him would she have been likely to cut off her relatives?" "No. We should probably have received every dollar." "Do you think the collector cherished any matrimonial designs with reference to your sister?" "I did think so at one time, but Martha's condition as an invalid led her to discourage his attentions, though she was evidently flattered by them." "Of course you wish to break the will?" "Yes. Do you think it can be done?" "Upon the basis of what you have told me I should think the chances were greatly in your favor." His companion brightened up very perceptibly at this assurance. "Have you ever been employed in any similar cases?" he asked.