No interest has suffered, I presume, by
this delay?"
"None."
Wallingford bent his eyes to the floor, and sat for some time as if
half-confounded by the discovery.
"What step will the executors probably take?" I inquired.
"It will be their duty to assume possession of the estate, and hold
it for the heirs of Mrs. Allen, if any are in existence," he
replied.
"And it will be their duty to take all proper means for discovering
these heirs?" said I.
"Yes. That follows, of course."
"And if none are found within a reasonable time?" I asked.
"The phrase, a reasonable time, is very indeterminate," said
Wallingford. "It may include one, or ten years, according to the
facts in the case, the views of the executors and the courts."
"But, finally?"
"Finally," he answered, "if no heirs come forward to claim the
estate, it will revert to the old line of descent through the blood
relations of Captain Allen."
"And come into the possession of Mrs. Montgomery?"
"Yes, if the courts are satisfied with the evidence which can be
presented in her favor.
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