determined to take a step
which he had for some time contemplated. For, though he was able to get
about again, he felt that he had received injuries which would bring him
to the grave before very long, and that he would never be the man he had
been. And, indeed, when pressed, his doctor did not deny that he had
reason for his conclusion.

So as soon as he was strong enough to get about, he wrote to secure a
room at the hotel he used in Dublin, and took the train to that city.
And the next day called upon his solicitor, Mr Burrows, of the firm of
Burrows and Fagan.

Mr Burrows, a sleek little man, particular about his dress, and as
proud of his small hands and feet as a cat is of her fur, was waiting
for him in his private room.

"I am going to alter my will," said Mr Burke.

"Exactly," said the lawyer, with a slight shrug of the shoulders, which
intimated that he was not at all surprised.

"I have drawn up a rough copy of what I want put into legal terms; it is
very short and simple; we can get it done to-day, can we not?"

"Certainly, I expect so. Let me see what you wish," replied Mr
Burrows, taking the sheet of note-paper.

Now, do not skip, reader, if you please. If you do you will either have
to turn back again from a more interesting chapter, or you will fail to
follow the thread of my story. I promise not to bore you with legal
terms; only read straight on, as Mr Burrows did.

"I revoke my former will. I now leave to two trustees as much money as
will yield 240 pounds a year to be paid monthly to Stephen Philipson,
the son of my late wife by a former husband. My land to be sold, and
that, with the rest of my property, to be equally divided between my
sister, Mary Forsyth, or her heirs, and Reginald Kavanagh."

"Not long, certainly, as you have put it," said Mr Burrows, with a
smile. "But here is land to be sold, and other descriptions of property
to be entered correctly. Can you not give us till the day after to-
morrow? If not, I will send the will to you, and you can sign it, and
get it witnessed at home."

"No, no; I had sooner remain in Dublin, and get the thing off my mind at
once. The day after to-morrow, then, at this time."

"It will be all ready by then."

As he passed through the outer office, the head clerk came from his
desk, smiling and bowing obsequiously. He was a young man of dark
complexion, and black hair, worn rather long.

"Ah, Daireh, how do you do?" said Mr Burke