I had procured the laudanum and loaded the pistol with which I proposed to shoot myself immediately after it was swallowed so that there might be no mistake.

One night only a couple of months or so ago, Quatermain, I sat in my study at Ragnall, with the doors locked as I thought, writing a few final letters before I did the deed.

The last of them was just finished about twelve when hearing a noise, I looked up and saw Savage standing before me.

I asked him angrily how he came there (I suppose he must have had another key to one of the other doors) and what he wanted.

Ignoring the first part of the question he replied: "'My lord, I have been thinking over our trouble'-- he was with us in Egypt--'I have been thinking so much that it has got a hold of my sleep.
To-night as you said you did not want me any more and I was tired, I went to bed early and had a dream.