HEAVY INSURANCE PREMIUM 141 



Continent, to, as it appeared, evade the responsibility 

 he had undertaken. His conduct was inexplicable, 

 and I believe that up to the last no explanation of 

 it was given. Nothing daunted, however, the 

 insurance company despatched an eminent physician 

 with instructions to follow his lordship, and to 

 endeavour by constant association with him to make 

 such a report upon his habits and general good 

 health as should warrant them in making the pro- 

 posed insurance. As it was a matter of pecuniary 

 importance to me, as the agent to the office, who 

 would receive my commission on the payment of 

 the annual premiums, I assisted by every means in 

 my power in carrying out these inquiries. Our 

 doctor followed him up incognito, and succeeded, 

 after some weeks' research, in finding him (also 

 incognito) in Switzerland, where he had settled. 

 There the M.D. associated with him at his hotel 

 and various places, and in due time made a report, 

 which was entirely favourable, as to the fugitive's 

 health and general habits. Thereupon the neces- 

 sary papers were prepared. X., of course, was much 

 gratified at the result. Now, the annual premiums 

 would have amounted to over 5,000/., yet there would 

 be clear income left, after this paid, from a property 

 realising nearly 20,000/. per annum. 



Now for another surprise. When the time 

 came for the completion of the contract, X. himself 

 was missing. Week after week passed, and at last 

 the actuary of the office discovered that he had 

 resold the life interest to the family for a very 



