Pending any news of him, the title is held in abeyance.
"He may have died.

It is probable that he has done so, for he could hardly have escaped seeing the advertisements that were inserted in every paper.

Of course, if he has left children, they inherit the title.
"After a lapse of five years Mr.Hartley's father, who was the next heir, and who died five years ago, applied to be declared the inheritor of the title; but the peers, or judges, or someone decided that twenty-one years must elapse before such an application could be even considered.

The income has been accumulating ever since, so that at the end of that time, it is probable that Mr.Hartley will be allowed to assume the title.
"Will the estates go with the title, Hartley ?" "Oh, I should say so, of course!" the other drawled.

"The title would not be of much use, without them." "Nonsense, my dear fellow!" another said.