If he could not decipher the whole, he made out sufficient for his purpose.

Money was to be offered to a man called Goodge for certain letters.

He knew his brother's affairs well enough to know that these letters for which money was to be offered must needs be letters of importance in some search for an heir-at-law.

So far all was clear and simple; but beyond this point he found himself at fault.
Where was this Goodge to be found?
and who was the person that was to offer him money for the letters?
The names and address, which had been written first, had left no impression on the blotting-pad, or an impression so faint as to be useless for any practical purpose.
Mr.Sheldon put down the pad and lingered by the door of the office deliberating, when the rattling and hammering came to an abrupt termination, and the clerk emerged from the interior den.
"O," he exclaimed, "it's all right.

Your message shall go directly." The stockbroker, whose face was half averted from the clerk, and who stood between that functionary and the light from the open doorway, at once comprehended the error that had arisen.