been graciously pleased to leave you
in fee simple his entire estate of Staghurst, together with its
buildings, rentals, and privileges. This, besides the residential
rights, amounts to some ten thousands pounds sterling per annum."

"A little less than fifty thousand dollars a year, Harry," Tim shot
over his shoulder at me.

"There is one condition," put in the lawyer.

"Oh, there is!" exclaimed Tim, his crest falling. "Well, knowing my
Uncle Hillary--"

"The condition is not extravagant," the lawyer hastily interposed. "It
merely entails continued residence in England, and a minimum of nine
months on the estate. This provision is absolute, and the estate
reverts in its discontinuance, but may I be permitted to observe that
the majority of men, myself among the number, are content to spend the
most of their lives, not merely in the confines of a kingdom, but
between the four walls of a room, for much less than ten thousand
pounds a year. Also that England is not without its attractions for an
Englishman, and that Staghurst is a country place of many
possibilities."

The Honourable Timothy had recovered from his first surprise.

"And if the conditions are not complied with?" he inquired.

"Then the estate reverts to the heirs at law, and you receive an
annuity of one hundred pounds, payable quarterly."

"May I ask further the reason for this extraordinary condition?"

"My distinguished client never informed me," replied the lawyer,
"but"--and a twinkle appeared in his eye--"as an occasional disburser
of funds--Monte Carlo--"

Tim burst out laughing.

"Oh, but I recognise Uncle Hillary there!" he cried. "Well, Mr. Case, I
am sure Mr. Johnson, the owner of this ranch, can put you up, and
to-morrow we'll start back."

He returned after a few minutes to find me sitting' smoking a moody
pipe. I liked Tim, and I was sorry to have him go. Then, too, I was
ruffled, in the senseless manner of youth, by the sudden altitude to
which his changed fortunes had lifted him. He stood in the middle of
the room, surveying me, then came across and laid his arm on my
shoulder.

"Well," I growled, without looking up, "you're a very rich man now, Mr.
Clare."

At that he jerked me bodily out of my seat and stood me up in the
centre of the room, the Irish blazing out of his eyes.

"Here, none of that!" he snapped. "You damn little fool! Don't you
'Mr. Clare' me!"

So in five minutes we were talking it over. Tim