Twenty-one years pass away; it lacks but a day or two of December 25th, 1844. Who are the seven heirs? Does a son of Gulian live? What has become of Charles Van Huyden; of Hoffman the mechanic, and of the child left in the care of the mechanic? What has become of Charles Van Huyden's wife and child? On a night in December 1844--say the 23d of the month--we shall find in New York, the following persons, connected with the fortunes of the Van Huyden family: The "SEVEN" or their heirs. I. GABRIEL GODLIKE, a statesman, who with an intellect rivaling some of the greatest names in our history, such as Clay, Calhoun or Webster, is destitute of the patriotism and virtues of these great men. II. HERMAN BARNHURST, a clergyman, who has lured from Philadelphia to New York, the only daughter of a merchant of the former city. This clergyman and his victim, are pursued by the Third of the Seven. III. ARTHUR DERMOYNE, a mechanic. IV. ISRAEL YORKE, a Banker. V. HARRY ROYALTON, OF HILL ROYAL, S. C. His claim to an undivided seventh of the Estate, will be contested by his half brother and sister, RANDOLPH and ESTHER, who although white, are alleged to have African blood in their veins. VI. BEVERLY BARRON, a "man of the world." VII. EVELYN SOMERS, a New York "Merchant Prince." 2d. We shall find in New York, at the period before named, CHARLES VAN HUYDEN, transformed into COL. TARLETON, and endeavoring to remove from his hands the blood of a man whom he has slain in a duel. His daughter "FRANK" grown to womanhood, and brought into contact with "NAMELESS," who left in infancy at the hovel of John Hoffman, has after a childhood of terrible hardships--a young manhood darkened by madness and crime--suddenly appeared in New York, in company with a discharged convict. This convict is none other than John Hoffman the mechanic. And gliding through the narrative, and among its various actors, we shall find MARTIN FULMER, or his successor. With this preliminary sketch--necessarily brief and imperfect, for it covers a period of twenty-one years--the following narrative is submitted to the reader. Yet first, let us for a moment glance at the "VAN HUYDEN ESTATE." This estate in 1823, was estimated at two millions of dollars. What is it in 1844?