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The task upon which I had ehtheartedly, when considered in cold blood, did certainly appear, as Miss Bellingha The result of two and a half hours' pretty steady work at an average speed of nearly a hundred words a hand; and if the notes were to be delivered punctually on thethis truth, I lost no tiery, was seated at the writing-table with , inexpressive characters into good, legible round-hand

The occupation was by no means unpleasant, apart from the fact that it was a labour of love; for the sentences, as I picked theracious whisper in which they had first come to aining a fresh outlook on life, was crossing the threshold of a neorld (which was her world); and so the occasional interruptions froave me intervals of enforced rest, were far fron froham's scruples had proved insurmountable Not, I am afraid, that I was so much concerned for the copy of the will as for the possibility of a visit, no matter howsoever brief, from my fair eery door flew open with startling abruptness, my fears were allayed and my hopes shattered si out a blue foolscap envelope with a warlike air as if it were an ultiham," she said "There's a note inside"

"May I read the note, Miss Oman?" I asked

"Bless the man!" she exclaiht it for?"

I supposed it was; and, thanking her for her gracious per me to show the copy of the will to Dr Thorndyke When I looked up from the paper I found her eyes fixed on

"You seereeable in a certain quarter," she rereeable It is my nature to"

"Ha!" she snorted

"Don't you find reeable?" I asked

"Oily," said Miss Oman And then, with a sour sot soe for you"