The Holladay Case

day Become

ited in the office safe, was read and duly admitted to probate. As was expected, he had left all his property, without condition or reserve, to his daughter Frances. There were a few bequests to old servants

ty dowry. She told us at once that she wished to leave her affairs in our hands, and in financial matters would be guided entirely by our advice. Most of this business was conducted by our junior, and while, of cou

features to convince myself anew that our theory was the right one. Only one point occurred to me which would tend to prove it untrue. If there was an illegitimate daughter, the blow she had dealt her father had also deprived her of whatever income he had allowed her, or of any hope of incom

onducted, else some trace of her would surely have been discovered. Miss Holladay, of course, rigidly refused herself to all inquirers, and here, again, I found myself on the horns of a dilemma. Doubtless, she

t who wished to see Mr. Royce at once. She had given no name, but our junior, who happened to be at leisure for the moment, directed that she be shown in. I recognized her i

" he demanded. "Nothing

re," sobbed the girl. "She d

r junior. "Why, I thought s

but she discharged

r?" persiste

yed her to tell me, but she wouldn't even see me. So

s it happened," said Mr. Royce soo

a little brooch, sir, that she was tired of. Then she went out for a drive, and about an hour ago came back. I went right up to her room to undress her, and when I knocked, sir, a strange woman came to the door and said that Miss Frances had engaged her for her maid and wouldn't need me any more,

ent on our junior's face, and did not wonder at it. What sudden dislike cou

er maid was a str

before, so far as I know. Miss Frances br

t of looking

rl hes

she said at last. "A Frenchwoman,

thought occurred at that instan

e Miss Holladay?"

sir. She's much older-

pleased, and to discharge any or all of her servants; and yet it s

e was ill?" said Mr. Royce, at last

he seemed troubled about something. I think she'd been crying. She's been c

et grief for her father might not be th

n't seem vex

gave me a brooch

for Miss Holladay must arrange her household to suit herself; yet, if you don't get back with your old mistress, I may, perh

thank you," she said,

evoted no thought to Frances Holladay and her affairs, but

that conveyance?" Mr. Graham chanced to as

ment. "I called at the house last night, but she sent down wo

I hope?" asked t

t. Just a trace of n

d open her country place on Long Island. It was only the end of March, and so a full two months and more ahead of the season; but she was feeling very ill, was not able to leave her room, indeed, and believed the fresh air and quiet of the cou

She has gone through a nerve-trying ordeal, especially for a girl reared as she has

end upon how the arrangements go forward. It won't be necessary, will it, t

ets back. No, we won

er in the course of the next twenty-four hours, as she wished to talk over some matters of business with him. It struck me as singular that she should ask for Mr. Graham, b

he exclaimed, as he d

ard him without speaking, but

such whimsicalities. Yet, I couldn't but admire her grasp of things. Here have I been thinking she

r. Royce, as th

went on to say that she knew of a number of bequests her father had intended to make before his death, and which he would have made if he had not been cut off so su

ked our ju

er securities as I thought best, in order that I might place in her hands by