CHAPTER II





Lucy wanted to come down to Montague's office to talk business with
him; but he would not put her to that trouble, and called the next
morning at her apartment before he went down town. She showed him
all her papers; her father's will, with a list of his property, and
also the accounts of Mr. Holmes, and the rent-roll of her properties
in New Orleans. As Montague had anticipated, Lucy's affairs had not
been well managed, and he had many matters to look into and many
questions to ask. There were a number of mortgages on real estate
and buildings, and, on the other hand, some of Lucy's own properties
were mortgaged, a state of affairs which she was not able to
explain. There were stocks in several industrial companies, of which
Montague knew but little. Last and most important of all, there was
a block of five thousand shares in the Northern Mississippi
Railroad.

"You know all about that, at any rate," said Lucy. "Have you sold
your own holdings yet?"

"No," said Montague. "Father wished me to keep the agreement as long
as the others did."

"I am free to sell mine, am I not?" asked Lucy.