I have pointed out to our friend (and my client), that to
set on foot random inquiries would not only be to raise the Devil, in the
likeness of all the swindlers in the kingdom, but would also be to waste
the estate. Now, you see, Mr. Vendale, our friend (and my client) does
not desire to waste the estate, but, on the contrary, desires to husband
it for what he considers--but I can't say I do--the rightful owner, if
such rightful owner should ever be found. I am very much mistaken if he
ever will be, but never mind that. Mr. Wilding and I are, at least,
agreed that the estate is not to be wasted. Now, I have yielded to Mr.
Wilding's desire to keep an advertisement at intervals flowing through
the newspapers, cautiously inviting any person who may know anything
about that adopted infant, taken from the Foundling Hospital, to come to
my office; and I have pledged myself that such advertisement shall
regularly appear. I have gathered from our friend (and my client) that I
meet you here to-day to take his instructions, not to give him advice. I
am prepared to receive his instructions, and to respect his wishes; but
you will please observe that this does not imply my approval of either as
a matter of professional opinion."

Thus Mr. Bintrey; talking quite is much _at_ Wilding as _to_ Vendale. And
yet, in spite of his care for his client, he was so amused by his
client's Quixotic conduct, as to eye him from time to time with twinkling
eyes, in the light of a highly comical curiosity.

"Nothing," observed Wilding, "can be clearer. I only wish my head were
as clear as yours, Mr. Bintrey."

"If you feel that singing in it coming on," hinted the lawyer, with an
alarmed glance, "put it off.--I mean the interview."

"Not at all, I thank you," said Wilding. "What was I going to--"

"Don't excite yourself, Mr. Wilding," urged the lawyer.

"No; I _wasn't_ going to," said the wine-merchant. "Mr. Bintrey and
George Vendale, would you have any hesitation or objection to become my
joint trustees and executors, or can you at once consent?"

"_I_ consent," replied George Vendale, readily.

"_I_ consent," said Bintrey, not so readily.

"Thank you both. Mr. Bintrey, my instructions for my last will and
testament are short and plain. Perhaps you will now have the goodness to
take them down. I leave the whole of my real and personal estate,
without any exception or reservation whatsoever, to you two, my joint
trustees an