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Lionel smiled. "These rich brothers in reserve are a terrible drag upon
self-exertion. Here we are!" he added, as they turned in at the gates.
"This is Verner's Pride."
"What a fine place!" exclaimed Captain Cannonby, bringing his steps to a
halt as he gazed at it.
"Yes, it is. Not a pleasant prospect, was it, to contemplate the being
turned out of it by a dead man."
"A dead--You do not mean to say that Frederick Massingbird--if in
life--would be the owner of Verner's Pride?"
"Yes, he would be. I was its rightful heir, and why my uncle willed it
away from me, to one who was no blood relation, has remained a mystery
to this day. Frederick Massingbird succeeded, to my exclusion. I only
came into it at his death."
Captain Cannonby appeared completely thunderstruck at the revelation.
"Why, then," he cried, after a pause, "this may supply the very
motive-power that is wanting, for one to personate Fred Massingbird."
"Scarcely," replied Lionel. "No ghost, or seeming ghost, walking about
in secret at night, could get Verner's Pride resigned to him.


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