There was something so horrifying in this, that Dr Thorne shrank back amazed, and was for a moment unable to speak.

‘But, Scatcherd,’ he said at last; ’surely you would not die for such a passion as that?’ ’Die for it?  Aye, would I. Live for it while I can live; and die for it when I can live no longer.  Die for it!  What is that for a man to do?  What is a man the worse for dying?  What can I be the worse for dying?  A man can die but once, you said just now.  I’d die ten times for this.’

’You are speaking now either in madness, or else in folly, to startle me.’

’Folly enough, perhaps, and madness enough, also.  Such a life as mine makes a man a fool, and makes him mad too.  What have about me that I should be afraid to die?  I’m worth three hundred thousand pounds; and I’d give it all to be able to go to work to-morrow with a hod and mortar, and have a fellow clap his hand upon my shoulder, and say:  “Well, Roger, shall us have that ’ere other half-pint this morning?” I’ll tell you what, Thorne, when a man has made three hundred thousand pounds, there’s nothing left for him but to die.  It’s all he’s good for then.  When money’s been made, the next thing is to spend it.  Now the man who makes it has not the heart to do that.’

The doctor, of course, in hearing all this, said something of a tendency to comfort and console the mind of his patient.  Not that anything he could say would comfort or console the man; but that it was impossible to sit there and hear such fearful truths—­for as regarded Scatcherd they were truths—­without making some answer.’

‘This is as good as a play, isn’t, doctor?’ said the baronet.  ’You didn’t know how I could come out like one of those actor fellows.  Well, now, come; at last I’ll tell you why I have sent for you.  Before that last burst of mine I made my will.’

‘You had made a will before that.’

’Yes, I had.  That will is destroyed.  I burnt it with my own hand, so that there should be no mistake about it.  In that will I had named two executors, you and Jackson.  I was then partner with Jackson in the York and Yeovil Grand Central.  I thought a deal of Jackson then.  He’s not worth a shilling now.’

‘Well, I’m exactly in the same category.’

’No, you’re not.  Jackson is nothing without money; but money’ll never make you.’

‘No, nor I shan’t make money,’ said the doctor.

’No, you never will.  Nevertheless, there’s my other will, there, under that desk there; and I’ve put you in as sole executor.’

’You must alter that, Scatcherd; you must indeed; with three hundred thousand pounds to be disposed of, the trust is far too much for any one man:  besides you must name a younger man; you and I are of the same age, and I may die first.’

’Now, doctor, no humbug; let’s have no humbug from you.  Remember this; if you’re not true, you’re nothing.’