The previous will he had fair-copied with his own hand, instead of handing it to his clerk or law-stationer. He did the same in this case, though the document was longer and the transcription involved considerable labour. His next proceeding, in the eyes of another lawyer, would have seemed very curious, for lawyers are extremely particular about the preservation, for future reference, of the draft of any deed or other document which they prepare; but the draft of this will Mr Blackford tore to fragments, which he afterwards burned in the grate. He was taking unusual pains, in fact, to carry out the testator’s wishes, that no one beside himself and his solicitor should be aware of the contents of the will. It was now past his usual lunch-time; and he strolled into the outer office, and sent his boy to get him a dry biscuit and a glass of brandy-and-water. Until this arrived, he stood chatting to Jobson on indifferent subjects; and then intimating to him that he was going to be extremely busy with private affairs, and must not be disturbed on any account whatever, he retired with his spare meal. He locked the door of his room behind him; he was about to enter on an important part of his operation. He took up the old will—that which was to be destroyed on the morrow—and examined it carefully as he ate and drank. It was copied on a piece of the paper known as ‘demy;’ it occupied the whole of the first page and four lines of the second. Then followed the long and cumbrous attestation clause, with Mr Franklin’s straggling and irregular signature against it. Taking a paper of the same size, shape, and quality, the solicitor made an exact and laboured copy, or rather fac-simile. It had the same number of lines, and each line contained the same words as in the original. One or two unimportant erasures and carelessly formed letters were faithfully repeated. The signature, ‘Wm. Franklin,’ was transferred by means of tracing and carbonised paper, and then gone over and touched up with the pen, until a most successful imitation was produced. Two small blots, or rather splutters, had been made by the testator in writing his name. Their positions were accurately ascertained by measurement, their outlines transferred with the tracing-paper and then filled in with ink; a final touch of which Mr Blackford was reasonably proud, as indicating real genius. The result was a duplicate, which only a very careful scrutiny could have distinguished from the original of the will which was in his own favour. This ended his labours for the present. Next day, Mr Blackford presented himself and his two witnesses before his client with the new will for signature. The old man, who was in much the same condition, read it through for himself and expressed his approval. The usual formalities were gone through, and the witnesses dismissed. ‘Now,’ said Mr Franklin, ‘have you brought the other will?’