have had no heirs and no executors to speak of, for he left no
property."

''That's to his honour and against your theory,'' said Mr. Locket.

"I HAVE no theory. He left a largeish mass of debt," Peter Baron
added. At this Mr. Locket got up, while his visitor pursued: "So
far as I can ascertain, though of course my inquiries have had to be
very rapid and superficial, there is no one now living, directly or
indirectly related to the personage in question, who would be likely
to suffer from any steps in the direction of publicity. It happens
to be a rare instance of a life that had, as it were, no loose ends.
At least there are none perceptible at present."

"I see, I see," said Mr. Locket. "But I don't think I should care
much for your article."

"What article?"

"The one you seem to wish to write, embodying this new matter."

"Oh, I don't wish to write it!" Peter exclaimed. And then he bade
his host good-by.

"Good-by," said Mr. Locket. "Mind you, I don't say that I think
there's nothing in it."

"You would think there was something in it if you were to see my
documents."