I waited in London two days to wind up all my affairs, and to give
time for the express to arrive before me, as I intended to travel very
fast. My stay in London was the occasion of an important discovery. I
was at the coffee-house at St. Paul's, and was talking with one of
Captain Levee's officers, with whom I had picked up an acquaintance,
when on his calling me by the name of Musgrave, a pinched-up sort of
looking personage, in a black suit, who was standing at the
bay-window, turned round, and coming up to me said, "Sir, as a
stranger I must apologize, but hearing your friend call you by the
name of Musgrave, may I venture to ask if you are any relative to Sir
Richard Musgrave, Baronet, who lived in Cumberland?"
"Lived, did you say, Sir? Is he then dead?"
"Yes, Sir; he has been dead these last seven months, and we are
looking out for his heir and cannot find him."
"I knew the family very well," replied I, "for I am connected with it.
His eldest son, Richard, of course, must be his heir, as all the
estates are entailed."
"His eldest son, Richard, Sir, is dead. We have authenticated
documents to prove that; and, moreover, his second son, Charles, is
also dead. He came home very ill and died, not at his father's house,
but at the house of one of his tenants on the estate. It is his third
son, Alexander Musgrave, whom we seek, and seek in vain. He is now the
heir to the baronetcy and estates, but we have lost all clue to him.
We understand that a Captain Philip Musgrave is just arrived from the
West Indies. He is, we presume, the fourth son. But until we can find
out what has become of Alexander Musgrave, and whether he is dead or
alive, we cannot act. I have written this day to Captain Musgrave,
requesting any information he can give, but have received no answer. I
presume, Sir, it is useless to inquire of you?"
"Not exactly, Sir, for I am the Alexander Musgrave you seek."
"Indeed, Sir, but what proof have you of your identity to offer to
us."
"The evidence of my brother, Captain Philip Musgrave, in whose ship I
have just arrived from the West Indies; that his answer to your letter
will be satisfactory enough, I have no doubt. Here is a letter from
him to me, in which you see he addresses me 'my dear Alexander,' and
concludes with 'your affectionate brother, Philip Musgrave.'"
"This is indeed, satisfactory, Sir," replied the gentleman, "and I
have only to receive an answer from your brother to make all right and
clear. Allow me, Sir, to congratulate you upon your accession to the
title and property. I presume you will have no objection, as soon as
the necessary proofs are obtained, to accompany me down to Cumberland,
where I doubt not you will be recognized by many."
"Of that, Sir, I have not the slightest doubt," replied I, "but I
cannot go down with you to Cumberland at present. I leave London for
Liverpool the day after to-morrow on important business, and cannot
disappoint the parties."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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