The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1897-09-02
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That knock startled me more than any
knock before or since. i had Just taken nv
diploma, hired couple of small rooms in a
fairly-fashlonable neighborhood in London,
and put up brass plate. After ONLY two
days-just at dusk-that knock came When
heard il echGing through the silent house
j felt that my opportunity had arrived
Hence my agitation.
The servant girl came bounding up the
stairs. She gasped:
You're wanted. sir-wanted at once It's
woman as brought the message. Her
masters dying of appieplexy-that's what
she said"
The masters name was Bond, and the adj
dress was Number Thirteen in the next
street.
The door to Number Thirteen was opened
by a woman of about 80. She had a florid
selfish, ill-tempered face. long, square chin,
and untidy red hair. There was peculiar
glisten in her eyes, and her voice was un-
steady.
She introduced herself as Mrs Gotch.
niece of Mr.. Bond and at the mention of
her Uncle's name she burst into tears.
He's dying" she sobbed, dying of apo
plexy."
oh, l hope not" said. Perhaps we
may pull him round yet.
Is this his first attack ?n I asked, after
o pause.
Il don't know; I've been so little with
aim. 1t may be- csu't say"
Then. if she had been $50 little with
him." how could she be so distressed at hav-
ing to do without him." The woman
was plainly fraud.
She led the way upstairs to a room on the
first floor 1t was On the left of the stair
case, and there was another door on the
right. The gas had not yet been lighted.
The windows were closed, and the atmos-
phere was very oppressive Ny first pro-
ceeding was to let in more air.
The man who lay upon the bed had white
hair, whiskers, and beard and knobby red
nose. His face-what / saw of twas
flushed; his breathing was slow and stertor-
Gus; / felt his pulse and the beats were un-
naturally strong his skin was moist with
perspiration. He was perfectly conscious
but seemed to have great difficulty in speak
ing. Once, when / happened TO touch his
head, be moved it sharply away. This
rather puzz ed me.
" Has your uncle had any injury to his
head II" / asked of Mrs. Gotch, who was
sobbing behind her handkerchief
No." she said, with surprising energy.
SOf that / am sure"
One thing seemed eer.ain-that he was
not by any means as bad as she had made
out III be had had a serious apoplectic
attack be was now recovering. / assured
him j would pull him through But he
said he knew the end was at hand As he
had not yet made his will, he must lose no
time in doing so. Would / kindly help
him?
Then, as I may be concerned" said Mrs
Gotch, +" had better retire"
suggested that lawyer would be neces-
sary, bat Mr.. Bond would not hear of such
thing. He hated lawyers.
:" But another witness is wanted.n he
sdded family. Autobiography from
the street. VIII you fetch somebody"
so went out, and, after some hunting
about came upon plumber returning from
his work. He consented 10 accompany me.
During my absence a solitary candle had
been placed on the little table near the foot
OF the bed. BY The side OF the candle were
pens, INK, and paper. / was about TO move
1t nearer, but Mr.. Bond waved ii back.
You write." he said Il can't. PIl
dictate"
The will, which be presently dictated to
me, was in these words:
This is my last will and testament. To
my dearly beloved niece Susan Gotch, and
20 her husband, David Gotch, l bequeath
absolutely everything possess, and / appoint
the SAID David Gotch my sole executor
veniused 10 ask whether he was sure
there was not some relation whom he had
forgotten, but gesture of impotence was
The only answer. He took the pen, and ia
o very tremulous hand wrote his name
Roger Bond" When the will was COM
piete placed it under his pillow.