so grateful, "said poor little Smith, his wan
smile warmer than ever, "I can't
understand."

Slade could not help him on this point, so,
to turn the conversation, asked his friend why
he had evinced so marked a disinclination to
having Proll's gifts closely examined?

John seemed embarrassed for a moment, then
he said:

"Well, it don't matter now; so here's the
truth. Some of my friends—not you, Slade"
(affectionately pressing his hand), " 'ave been
in the 'abit of chaffing me 'cause I was a
nervous sort of timid chap, and these cups and
things of Proll's seemed as if they was a-chaffing
too. Every one of them, you see's talking of
my courage, my 'ardihood, and so forth. There's
a motter on each. On the vase was written,
'To the brave, devoted Smith.' On the
stomach of that harmour. was 'Tribute to
death-defying 'ardihood, in the person of the
noble-'arted Smith.' And so 'tis in all of 'em.
Somehow, though I couldn't bring my self to
believe that Proll was laughing at me in her
sleeve, I knew it would set those fellows off,
so I scratched out the writing on the harmour's
stomach, and wouldn't let no one look too
close at  t'other things, you see. Now, what I
want you for to do is this," continued the
invalid, raising himself on the pillow. "0'
course, this is all gammon. Proll must be a
lunatic. I never did her any service. How
could I, as have lived quiet here, since I was
born? I feel as if I'd been taking money
and gimcracks all my life from Proll's family,
which may want 'em. There may be old
Prolls, or little Prolls, or, in short, my good
friend, I have made up my mind to leave a
thumping legacy to Proll, at all events, and
you must find her out if you can. I know you
will try. And, if you can't," concluded the
speaker, faintly, for he was getting wearied
with his long speech, "there shall be a clause
providing rewards for other brave chaps like
me, you know," he smiled, "so that,
perhaps, somehow, after all, the right J. S. may
come in for one of Proll's pretty thingumbobs."

Later the same evening, as Slade again sat
beside his friend, awaiting the solicitor who
was to receive instructions for the intended
legacy, the curate quietly revived the subject
of Proll's mysterious gifts.

"You are quite certain—think, now, John—
that you have never been in a position to render
some extraordinary and timely service to this
Proll?"

"Never, on my word," said Mr. Smith,
emphatically.

"It is very singular," resumed Mr. Slade,
pondering. "Do you know—but tell me, first,
has any event of real importance, such, I mean,
as would remain among the best-remembered
incidents of an ordinary experience, ever
occurred to you, that might, indirectly, perchance,
connect itself with this enigma? Think."

John reflected.

"Except—that in June, 'forty-two—I
landed——"

"Yes?" cried his friend, eagerly, observing
that he paused. "You landed. How?
Where?"

"In the pool, below the weir," replied Mr.
Smith, faintly. "I landed him—in twenty
minutes—with a single gut brown partridge
fly. He weighed nine pounds and a hounce!"
"Mr. Slade fell into another reverie.
Suddenly he resumed:

"It occurs to me, Smith, as not a little
remarkable, that every one of these
mysterious offerings contains some reference to
an ox."

"A hox!" ejaculated the invalid. " Hox?"

"Or bull. It is an ancient sacrifice, a
bullfight in the arena, or even a crest or device, as
in the armour instance. Now that, to my mind,
has a decided significance. Did you ever—say,
in your reckless youth, my friend—have a
misunderstanding with a bull?"

"/.'" exclaimed poor Smith. "Stay, though.
With a hox, I 'ad."

"Ha!" said the curate, brightening up; "how
was that?"

"I was a walking quietly down Hollow-cross-
lane, when there come a-bellering be'ind me;
and a man rushed past, crying out that a
hinfuriated hox had broke out, and was coming
down the lane! I heard him tramping, and ran
on; but there was a quickset hedge on each
side, and no gate. So I made a tremenjious
leap, and got over."

"And were in safety?"

"Why, no," replied Mr. Smith. "The
haggravating beast had previously adopted a similar
course, and was in the field before me. I
saw his great broad forehead, heard a shriek
(but whether 'twas my own voice or somebody
else's, I'm afeard to say), and, being knocked
down insensible, knew nothing more, till I woke
in my own 'ouse, with Hannah bathing my
'ed."

"Then the matter is as unaccountable as
ever," remarked the curate, with a disappointed
sigh.

The conversation was never renewed, for poor
little Smith was beginning to sink, and two
short days comprised all that was left of his
inoffensive life.

More than scrupulously did the friendly
executors endeavour to fulfil the duty imposed
on them; but their quest of Proll was unsuccessful.
They had ceased the hopeless inquiry, and
had begun to consult as to the best mode of
carrying out the alternative measure provided
by the will, when, one morning, a visitor sent
in his card to Mr. Slade.

"Colonel Commerell."

The colonel, who appeared about forty-five,
and whose countenance was bronzed by an
Indian sun, was a man of stately presence, and
frank, yet gentlemanly, manner.

"I am just returned, sir," he said, "from a
long period of foreign service, during the latter
part of which my communications with home