They came
downstairs and I shall never forget the look of horror in the Judge's
eyes as he stood there staring at me. 'David,' he said, 'this is a
terrible, terrible thing you have done.' I couldn't speak. 'How did
you know that your grandfather had made this new will?' Christine,
the--the paper was a new will, giving everything to my uncle Frank,
excepting a small bequest in money and a house and lot in Richmond,
which, however, was to go to Uncle Frank in case of my death. The will
looked genuine--everybody said so--even Judge Gainsborough. It had
been drawn three weeks before and had been witnessed by George
Whitman, who died ten days after signing, and Mortimer Simms, who,
strangely enough, died three days later."
"It was a forgery--a false will?" she cried, trembling violently in
her excitement.
"I know it was--I know it. My grandfather had told me of the deed.
This was the envelope and the paper. There was no such deed to be
found. That makes me half believe that he did sign the will, thinking
it was something else. My story about the deed was not believed. As
for Isaac Perry, my uncle said that he left for New York soon after my
grandfather's visit to Richmond, doubtless when the will was drawn and
signed.
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