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 Saint 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 apologise,
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 `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 recognised 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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