"My wife has left me, my friend has betrayed me; my child is dead.
"I am a lonely man.
"May my fortune bring more happiness to the finder than it has ever brought to me.
"God grant it.
"This is my last will and testament.
"(Signed) Thomas Ossington,
"October the twenty-second, 1892.
"In the presence of Edward John Hurley,
Solicitor's Clerk,
13, Hercules Buildings, Holborn.
And of Louisa Broome,
2, Acacia Cottages, Battersea
(Maid-servant at present in the employ
of the said Thomas Ossington)."
The reading was followed by silence, possibly the silence of amazement. The first observation came from Jack.
"By George!"