CHAPTER XXV.
The Heir.
We must now return to Philadelphia, and pay a visit to the office of Mr.
Balch.

We shall find that gentleman in company with Mr.Walters: both look anxious, and are poring over a letter which is outspread before them.
"It was like a thunder-clap to me," said Mr.Balch: "the idea of there being another heir never entered my brain--I didn't even know he had a living relative." "When did you get the letter ?" asked Walters.
"Only this morning, and I sent for you immediately! Let us read it again--we'll make another attempt to decipher this incomprehensible name.
Confound the fellow! why couldn't he write so that some one besides himself could read it! We must stumble through it," said he, as he again began the letter as follows:-- "Dear Sir,--Immediately on receipt of your favour, I called upon Mr.
Thurston, to take the necessary steps for securing the property of your late client.

To my great surprise, I found that another claimant had started up, and already taken the preliminary measures to entering upon possession.

This gentleman, Mr .---- "Now, what would you call that name, Walters ?--to me it looks like Stimmens, or Stunners, or something of the kind!" "Never mind the name," exclaimed Walters--"skip that--let me hear the rest of the letter; we shall find out who he is soon enough, in all conscience." "Well, then," resumed Mr.Balch--"This gentleman, Mr .-- --, is a resident in your city; and he will, no doubt, take an early opportunity of calling on you, in reference to the matter.

It is my opinion, that without a will in their favour, these children cannot oppose his claim successfully, if he can prove his consanguinity to Mr.Garie.His lawyer here showed me a copy of the letters and papers which are to be used as evidence, and, I must say, they _are entirely_ without flaw.