roceed without further interruption."

"In conjunction with another person, I devised and carried out
successfully a plan by which I was enabled to touch at once, and
without the disagreeable necessity of previously expiring and being
buried, the whole of the money for which I was insured. Other people
have attempted the same design, I believe, but the thing has hitherto
been managed clumsily. In my own case, it has been managed with great
dexterity and artistic skill. As you will naturally be curious on a
subject which interests you so closely I have no objection to reveal
the method. It is not enough to write to your office and state that a
certain person is dead. One must be prepared with proofs of the death
should any doubt arise. No proof of death is quite satisfactory without
evidence as to the disposal of the dead body. With that object, we
procured from the Hotel Dieu a patient apparently in an advanced state
of consumption. My accomplice, being a medical man, highly recommended,
was able to do this without suspicion. We nursed him ostentatiously.
During the latter part of the illness he was nursed under the name of
Lord Harry Norland. He died. His name was entered in the official
register as Lord Harry Norland. He was buried in the cemetery at
Auteuil, near Paris, as Lord Harry Norland. A headstone marks his
grave, which is purchased in perpetuity. The doctor certified the cause
of his death, and communicated the fact to the deceased's brother, Lord
Malven, and to the deceased's solicitors. The death was also announced
to the papers. The difficulties attendant on the successful conduct of
the business are so great that you need not fear a repetition. Nobody,
in order to assist a fraud, will consent to die and lend his own body.
It is seldom, indeed, that a sick man can be found--a foreigner and
friendless--whose death will cause no curiosity and raise no questions.
Add to this, it is extremely difficult, as I have now experienced, to
find the necessary assistance without encountering the objections of
conscience."

"Upon my word!" cried one of the Directors, "this is a most wonderful
letter. I beg your pardon. Pray go on."

"We began very well. We buried our man under the name of Lord Harry
Norland, as I have said. The difficulty then arose as to the
presentation of the claim. It was most desirable that the claim should
be made by the person who would most naturally be the deceased's heir
and after proving h