A second paragraph in Mr. Pendril's letter contained another piece of
intelligence entirely new. Mr. Michael Vanstone's son (and only child),
Mr. Noel Vanstone, had recently arrived in London, and was then staying
in lodgings occupied by his cousin, Mr. George Bartram. Professional
considerations had induced Mr. Pendril to pay a visit to the lodgings.
He had been very kindly received by Mr. Bartram; but had been informed
by that gentleman that his cousin was not then in a condition to receive
visitors. Mr. Noel Vanstone had been suffering, for some years past,
from a wearing and obstinate malady; he had come to England expressly
to obtain the best medical advice, and he still felt the fatigue of
the journey so severely as to be confined to his bed. Under these
circumstances, Mr. Pendril had no alternative but to take his leave.
An interview with Mr. Noel Vanstone might have cleared up some of the
difficulties in connection with his father's instructions. As events had
turned out, there was no help for it but to wait for a few days more.
The days passed, the empty days of solitude and suspense. At last, a
third letter from the lawyer announced the long delayed conclusion of
the correspondence.
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