At this moment a card was brought in. It was that of Mr. Erskine
himself, senior partner in the very firm.
He came in, old, eminently respectable, but shaken. He was greatly
shaken. "Gentlemen," he said nervously, "I hasten to bring you a
communication, a most extraordinary communication, which I have just
received. It is nothing less than a confession--a full confession--from
a person whom I had every reason to believe was dead. It is from Lord
Harry Norland."
"We know already," said the Chairman, superior, "the main facts which
you are going to lay before us. We are met to-day in order to discuss
our action in view of these facts. There has been a conspiracy of a
very artful and ingenious character. It has been successful so far
through the action of a woman. By the action of the same woman it is
sought to make restitution. The hand of justice, however--"
"Perhaps," said the lawyer, "you will oblige me by allowing me to read
the letter."
"Pray read it"--the Chairman bowed--"though I do not suppose it will
add to the information we already possess."
"Gentlemen"--the lawyer read--"You will be surprised and pained to
learn that I am not--as you were given to understand--dead; but on the
other hand, living and in the enjoyment of rude health. I see no reason
why my life should not be prolonged to threescore years and ten.
"The claim, therefore, which you sent in to the Royal Unicorn Life
Insurance Company was fraudulent. It was the result of a deep-laid
conspiracy. You have been made the innocent accomplice of a great
crime.
"My wife, who now knows the whole truth, is most anxious for
restitution to be made. She is about to restore that portion of the
money which lies in her name. Most of the rest will be sent back by
myself, on certain conditions.
"In communicating the fact of my being still alive to the head of my
family you will please also to inform him that I authorise the
discontinuance of the premium. This will save the family 300 pounds a
year. This will be a solatium to him for the fact that his brother
still lives to disgrace the name. If I should die before the next
premium is due I order my heirs not to claim the money.--I remain,
Gentlemen, your obedient servant, "HARRY NORLAND."
"The premium which should have been paid under ordinary circumstances,"
said the Secretary, "was due six weeks ago. The policy has therefore
expired."