For Fortune and Glory | Page 7

on his
fore-finger, put the morocco box containing the sapphires, and the thin
silver case, like a lady's large-sized card-case, that protected the written
document, into his breast pocket, and then rising himself, rested his two
hands on the lad's shoulders, and gazed long and earnestly into his face.
Then turning his eyes upwards, he muttered a prayer in Arabic, after
which he gently drew him to the door, and, releasing him, opened it,
and said, "Farewell."
CHAPTER TWO.
MR. RICHARD BURKE VISITS HIS LAWYER.
Mrs Forsyth had another brother, named Richard, living in Ireland.
When Ralph Burke--the Sheikh Burrachee of to-day--was in trouble,
and lost his Indian appointment, he went to his brother, whom he had
not met since boyhood, and who welcomed him at first cordially. But
Ralph, possessed by the one idea of injury received from the
Government, engaged in seditious plots, and nearly involved his host in
serious trouble. The brothers quarrelled about it, and Ralph left in anger,
and never afterwards mentioned his brother's name.
Probably he did not know at present whether he was dead or alive. But
alive he was, though in failing health. He was the eldest of the family,
ten years senior to Ralph, and seventeen to his sister, Mrs Forsyth. In
spite of Ralph's story about Oliver Cromwell, the elder brother had
some land, though whether it was part of the original estates, or had
been acquired since, I know not. He had no tenants, but farmed himself,
and was therefore not shot at. The farming consisted principally,
however, in breeding horses, in which he was very successful.
It was not that he realised such large profits, or grew rich rapidly, but

he always made more than he spent in the course of the year, and
invested the balance judiciously. And in twenty years hundreds grow to
thousands in that way.
Rather late in life Mr Burke had married a widow with a son, an only
child. He lost her early, and, having no children of his own, attached
himself to her boy for her sake, and made a will leaving him sole heir
to his property, after a legacy had been paid to his sister, Mrs Forsyth,
and a provision of 200 pounds a year made for Reginald Kavanagh, an
orphan cousin for whom Richard Burke had stood godfather, and was
now educating at his own expense, the boy spending all his holidays
with him in Ireland, and becoming a greater favourite with him as time
went on.
For his step-son, Stephen Philipson, had disappointed him grievously,
developing idle, dissipated, and extravagant habits as he grew into
manhood. Mr Burke bore with him for some years, hoping that he
would sow his wild oats and reform. But instead of this, he became
worse and worse, till at last it was evident that he would make the
worst possible use of any money which came to him.
And then Mr Burke had an accident in the hunting field, and, while he
lay between life and death, his step-son behaved and spoke in a
heartless and ungrateful manner, which was reported to him on his
unexpected recovery; and in his indignation he determined to take a
step which he had for some time contemplated. For, though he was able
to get about again, he felt that he had received injuries which would
bring him to the grave before very long, and that he would never be the
man he had been. And, indeed, when pressed, his doctor did not deny
that he had reason for his conclusion.
So as soon as he was strong enough to get about, he wrote to secure a
room at the hotel he used in Dublin, and took the train to that city. And
the next day called upon his solicitor, Mr Burrows, of the firm of
Burrows and Fagan.
Mr Burrows, a sleek little man, particular about his dress, and as proud
of his small hands and feet as a cat is of her fur, was waiting for him in

his private room.
"I am going to alter my will," said Mr Burke.
"Exactly," said the lawyer, with a slight shrug of the shoulders, which
intimated that he was not at all surprised.
"I have drawn up a rough copy of what I want put into legal terms; it is
very short and simple; we can get it done to-day, can we not?"
"Certainly, I expect so. Let me see what you wish," replied Mr Burrows,
taking the sheet of note-paper.
Now, do not skip, reader, if you please. If you do you will either have
to turn back again from a more interesting chapter, or you will fail to
follow the thread of my story. I promise not to bore you with legal
terms; only read