Come to me, and help me to make my will.' Mr.Bruff went, and found him, in the little suburban villa, surrounded by its own grounds, in which he had lived alone, ever since he had left India.

He had dogs, cats, and birds to keep him company; but no human being near him, except the person who came daily to do the house-work, and the doctor at the bedside.

The will was a very simple matter.

The Colonel had dissipated the greater part of his fortune in his chemical investigations.

His will began and ended in three clauses, which he dictated from his bed, in perfect possession of his faculties.