if we go now, to catch our solicitor before he leaves his office."

Mr. Gladman took up his hat from underneath his chair.

"One moment," suggested Mr. Clodd. "I did influence him to make
that will. If you don't like it, there's an end of it."

"Of course," commenced Mr. Gladman in a mollified tone.

"Sit down," suggested Mr. Clodd. "Let's try another one." Mr.
Clodd turned to the clerk. "The previous one, Mr. Wright, if you
please; the one dated June the 10th."

An equally short and simple document, it bequeathed three hundred
pounds to Mr. William Clodd in acknowledgment of kindnesses
received, the residue to the Royal Zoological Society of London,
the deceased having been always interested in and fond of animals.
The relatives, "Who have never shown me the slightest affection or
given themselves the slightest trouble concerning me, and who have
already received considerable sums out of my income," being by name
excluded.

"I may mention," observed Mr. Clodd, no one else appearing inclined
to break the silence, "that in suggesting the Royal Zoological
Society to my poor old friend as a fitting object for his
benevolence, I had in mind a very similar case that occurred five
years ago. A bequest to them was disputed on the grounds that the
testator was of unsound mind. They had to take their case to the
House of Lords before they finally won it."