nd scrutiny signed.
I put the memorandum in an envelope, which we all signed across the flap.
Before signing, Mr Ernest Halbard Melton took out the paper and verified
it. I then asked him to close it, which he did, and when the sealing-wax
was on it he sealed it with his own seal. Sir Colin A. MacKelpie and I
also appended our own seals. I put the envelope in another, which I
sealed with my own seal, and my co-executor and I signed it across the
flap and added the date. I took charge of this. When the others present
had taken their departure, my co-executor and I, together with Mr. Rupert
Sent Leger, who had remained at my request, went into my private room.

Here Mr. Rupert Sent Leger read the memorandum marked "B," which is to be
read as clause 10 of the Will. He is evidently a man of considerable
nerve, for his face was quite impassive as he read the document, which
conveyed to him (subject to the conditions laid down) a fortune which has
no equal in amount in Europe, even, so far as I know, amongst the crowned
heads. When he had read it over a second time he stood up and said:

"I wish I had known my uncle better. He must have had the heart of a
king. I never heard of such generosity as he has shown me. Mr. Trent, I
see, from the conditions of this memorandum, or codicil, or whatever it
is, that I am to declare within a week as to whether I accept the
conditions imposed on me. Now, I want you to tell me this: must I wait a
week to declare?" In answer, I told him that the testator's intention
was manifestly to see that he had full time to consider fully every point
before making formal decision and declaration. But, in answer to the
specific question, I could answer that he might make declaration when he
would, provided it was _within_, or rather not after, the week named. I
added:

"But I strongly advise you not to act hurriedly. So enormous a sum is
involved that you may be sure that all possible efforts will be made by
someone or other to dispossess you of your inheritance, and it will be
well that everything shall be done, not only in perfect order, but with
such manifest care and deliberation that there can be no question as to
your intention."

"Thank you, sir," he answered; "I shall do as you shall kindly advise me
in this as in other things. But I may tell you now--and you, too, my
dear Sir Colin--that I not only accept my Uncle Roger's conditions in
this, but that when the time comes in th