He found Alexander again at his writing desk.

“Come here, Francis, my dear boy; I want you to witness the signing of my will,” said Alexander, looking around.

“You will require two witnesses,” observed Francis Tredegar, gravely, as he approached the table.

“Yes, I know! Here, Simms.”

The valet came up.

In the presence of his friend and his servant, Alexander signed his will. And then Francis Tredegar and John Simms signed as witnesses.

“Now, Tredegar, I have named you and another one, executors of this will. But I wish you to take charge of it in case anything should happen to me.”

“Oh, bosh!” said Tredegar, gaily, yet with a tremulous tone,—“these affairs seldom end fatally.”

But he took the will and put it carefully in his breast pocket.

“It is nearly seven o’clock now. I wonder if we could get some coffee. Go down, Simms, and see, and have it brought to this room,” said Alexander.