Calling the nurse he said, "What is the matter with that man there?"

"He is dying," was the reply.

"Is that so?"

"It's a case of suicide. He was the Italian valet of an English nobleman, they say."

"What is the nobleman's name?"

"Lord Maltravers."

Mr. Mole, at this announcement, gave a start which nearly displaced the splints around his leg.

"Bambino!" he ejaculated.

As he said this; the man in a dying condition looked up with wide-open eyes.

The mention of his name seemed to have aroused him from the state of stupor into which he was plunged.