Owlett
briefly responded, sweeping the money his client had paid him off his
desk, and pocketing the same with that resigned air of injured virtue
which was his natural expression whenever he thought of how little good
hard cash a country solicitor could make in the space of twenty-four
hours. Helmsley, on leaving the office, returned at once to his lodging
under the shadow of the Cathedral and resumed his own work, which was
that of writing several letters to various persons connected with his
financial affairs, showing to each and all what a grip he held, even in
absence, on the various turns of the wheel of fortune, and dating all
his communications from Exeter, "at which interesting old town I am
making a brief stay," he wrote, for the satisfaction of such curiosity
as his correspondents might evince, as well as for the silencing of all
rumours respecting his supposed death. Last of all he wrote to Sir
Francis Vesey, as follows:--

"MY DEAR VESEY,--On this day, in the good old city of Exeter, I have
done what you so often have asked me to do. I have made my Will. It
is drawn up entirely in my own handwriting, and has been duly
declared correct and valid by a legal firm here, Messrs. Rowden and
Owlett. Mr. Owlett and Mr. Owlett's clerk were good enough to
witness my signature. I wish you to consider this communication made
to you in the most absolute confidence, and as I carry the said
document, namely my 'Last Will and Testament,' upon my person, it
will not reach your hands till I am no more. Then I trust you will
see the business through without unnecessary trouble or worry to the
person who, by my desire, will inherit all I have to leave.

"I have spent nearly a year of almost perfect happiness away from
London and all the haunts of London men, and I have found what I
sought, but what you probably doubted I could ever find--Love! The
treasures of earth I possess and have seldom enjoyed--but the
treasure of Heaven,--that pure, disinterested, tender affection,
which bears the stress of poverty, sickness, and all other kindred
ills,--I never had till now. And now the restless craving of my soul
is pacified. I am happy,--moreover, I am perfectly at ease as
regards the disposal of my wealth when I am gone. I know you will be
glad to hear this, and that you will see that my last wishes and
instructions are faithfully carried out i