His strength was failing him fast.

The Soul of all dead parrots was wearing out.

M.Peyron, who had stood by all this time, not knowing in any way what might be the value of the bird's disclosures, came forward and stroked poor Methuselah with his caressing hand.

But Methuselah was incapable now of any further effort.

He opened his blind eyes sleepily for the last, last time, and stared around him with a blank stare at the fading universe.