I want to find an heir-at-law in a direct line from Matthew; and you know my theory on that point.

But if we fail in that direction, we must of course fall back upon the Judsons, who are a disgustingly complicated set of people, and will take half a lifetime to disentangle, to say nothing of other men who may be working the same business, and who are pretty sure to have pinned their faith on the female branch of the Haygarthian tree.
"I want you to ferret out some of the Judson descendants with a view to picking up further documentary evidence in the shape of old letters, inscriptions in old books, and so on.

That Matthew had a secret is certain; and that he was very much inclined to reveal that secret in his later days is also certain.

Who shall say that he did not tell it to his only sister, though he was afraid to tell it to his wife?
"You have acted with so much discretion up to this point, that I do not care to trouble you with any further hints or suggestions.

When money is wanted, it shall be forthcoming; but I must beg you to manage things economically, as I have to borrow at a considerable sacrifice; and should this affair prove a failure, my ruin is inevitable.
"Yours, &c.