Hudsley caught his meaning and felt under the pillow, and Stephen, as if to assist, thrust his hand under, and withdrew it with the key in his fingers.
“Why—again?” came the voice, broken and impatient. “You have done it! you have burnt the first.”
“What is he saying?” he asked.
“You have burned it; show me the other—the last; let me—touch it.”
Hudsley opened the safe and took the first will from the drawer.
“Two, did he say?” he muttered: “there is only one here—the will;” and he came to the bed with it.
“There is only one will here, of course, squire,” he said, bending down and speaking slowly and distinctly.
“Yes—you, you have—burned the other. Speak. I cannot see, but I can hear you.”
“I have burned none,” said Hudsley. “Have only just come—there is only one will here.”
“Which?” gasped the dying man.