here. Whereas usually he held off and put to as much trouble as possible those coming to him on any business connected with his ward, he now instructed to have sent in at once the man whose card, engraved "James Annis," inscribed "Concerning Miss Lorine Regan," he had found upon his desk.
Old Matthew Regan—roughly powerful in mind and body—with the perspicacity that marked all he did, had chosen well the executor of his estate in favor of his daughter. On matters concerning her, impostors, swindlers and get-rich-quick individuals from the four quarters of the world invaded Hereford's office. The atmosphere of even the outer office chilled and discouraged them. Their carefully prepared stories began to disintegrate long before they had penetrated as far as Hereford himself. He, on his part,
