ses are
taken out, the keys of which, and the secret of the lock, being known
only to my old friend, Joshua Girtle, whom I constitute my sole
executor, and my old friend and servant, Ramo, whom I commend to the
care of my grand-nephew, the said Paul Capel.

"Furthermore, the remainder of the sum of fifty thousand pounds in
Consols, after providing for the payments hereinbefore stated as
legacies, I desire my executor to distribute in twenty equal sums to as
many deserving charities as he may select."

The reading of the rest of the document occupied scarcely a couple of
minutes, and then the old solicitor rose. The servants slowly left the
room, making a detour so as to bow and courtesy to the Colonel's heir,
Ramo last--furtively watching Charles--to go slowly to the young man's
side, bow reverently, take his hand, and kiss it, saying softly the one
word:

"Sahib."

"Don't go, Ramo," said Mr Girtle; and the old Indian slowly backed into
the corner by the door, where he stood nearly invisible, waiting until
such time as he should be called upon to give up his share of the secret
of the chamber beyond the dead man's room.

CHAPTER SIX.

A FIT OF GENEROSITY.

"Mr Paul Capel," said the old solicitor, "allow me to add my
congratulations, and my hope that your fortune may prove a blessing."

"But it is like a dream--a romance," cried Paul Capel. "All that wealth
here--in this house! I wonder that he was not robbed."

"My old friend took great precautions against that," said Mr Girtle.
"As you will see, it was impossible for any one to have stolen the
valuables and notes."

"But ought not this money to have been banked?"

"Of course--or invested. I have told him so, often; but he used to say
he preferred to keep it as it was. He had plenty for his wants and
charities. Your uncle was an eccentric man, Mr Capel; there is no
denying that."

"Eccentric!" cried Artis. "Mad. Well, I give you all warning. I shall
take action, and throw it into chancery."

He walked to the end of the room, and Paul Capel looked after him
uneasily as he saw Katrine follow.

"You foolish boy!" she whispered; "am not I as badly used as you? Be
patient. Wait."

"What do you mean?" he whispered, hastily.

She looked full in his eyes, and he tried to read the mystery in their
depths, but without avail.

"Why don't you speak?" he cried.

"Some things are better left unspoken," she replied. "Don't be rash."

"I'll wa