"Dear Madam: It is my duty to inform you that your father (the
late Randolph Hugh Blake) was made sole beneficiary of his late
uncle, Mr. Hugh Blake, the Laird of Emberon's steward, by a
certain testament, or will, made many years ago. Mr. Hugh Blake
has recently died a bachelor, and before his demise he added a
codicil to the above testament, or will, naming you, his great
niece, his sole heir and beneficiary.

"There are other relatives who may make some attempt to oppose
your claim; but none of near blood. Your title to the said
estate is clear; but it is quite necessary that you should appear
before our Courts with proofs of identity, and so forth. On
receipt from you of acknowledgment of this letter, with copies of
identification papers (your grandfather's naturalization papers,
your father's discharge from army, your own birth certificate and
marriage lines, and so forth) I will give myself the pleasure of
forwarding any further particulars you may wish, and likewise
place at your command my own services in obtaining possession for
you of your great uncle's estate.

"The said estate of Mr. Hugh Blake, deceased, amounts, in real
and personal property, including moneys in the bank, to about the
sum, roughly estimated, of 10,000 pounds.

"Respectfully, your servant,
"Andrew Blake, Solicitor and Att'y."

Nan had leaned over her mother's shoulder, big-eyed, scarce
believing the plainly written words she read. It was
preposterous, ridiculous, fanciful, a dream from which she