Argosy All-Story Weekly, October 7, 1922 — page 139: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

THE The sergeant, after a moment’s hesita- tion, passed his notebook to the solicitor, who seated himself and read the entries carefully. He finished it, and glanced at Stephen thoughtfully, but his face remained perfectly inscrutable. “ Do you understand it?” asked Piers. “TI understand what is written here,” replied Whitehouse. ‘‘T have always had a high opinion of your intelligence, Whitehouse. I do not feel equal to further explanations, and I think they are unnecessary. Dr. Cobbold allots me no more than another hour or two of life.” ““T hope he may be mistaken,” was all the lawyer could find to say. “Do you, indeed?” replied Piers’s voice wearily. ‘ I cannot agree with you, White- house. It is, on the whole, the best news I have received for a very long time. I shall be glad to go. Only one thing of importance remains—that my will should be made before these witnesses here pres- ent. That is necessary. Will you take it from my dictation, Whitehouse?” There was dead silence as Whitehouse, having placed writing materials on the little table by the bedside, seated himself and waited. He was obliged to bend closer to Piers; the voice was growing faint and weak. “ This is the last will and testament of me, Piers Marney, of Walton Knoll and Mersea Holt, in the County of Essex. I bequeath all my property, of whatever de- scription and wherever situate, to ”—Piers paused a moment, then continued with an effort— to Stephen Marney, otherwise known as Daniel Flint, late of San Fran- cisco, and who now stands before me in the presence of the undersigned witnesses. And I appoint him sole executor of this my will. ‘“T attach no conditions to this bequest, only recording it as my wish that the lega- tee, if he sees fit, shall make over my estate of Walton Knoll to my niece, Beatrice Mar- ney, by deed of gift, when he shall have come into possession. hand—”’ Piers concluded. He waited till White- house had finished writing. SIGN OF THE SERPENT. As witness my — 285 “Read it out, if you please,” he said. Mr. Whitehouse did so. ‘“ Now tell me—what will be the effect of that will?” The lawyer scanned it again. “Its effect will be this,” he said. ‘“ On your death Stephen Marney, alias Daniel Flint, will legally succeed both to the prop- erty which was originally yours, and to such residue and accumulation of income in hand from the Mersea Holt estate as does not go with the entail, whether he proves himself to be Sir Neville’s son or not.” “ You are sure of that?” ““ Beyond question. Should he fail to es- tablish himself as Sir Neville’s son, the Mersa Holt estate will fall into Chancery, pending the decision as to who is the heir. But in that case the net personality re- mains—some forty thousand pounds, I be- lieve—and is yours, to bequeath as you wish. You leave it to him. He will suc- ceed to it—though not of course to the title, unless your niece challenges the will—” ‘““ We need not consider that,”’ said Piers. “ Put the pen in my hand. I will sign if I am able; if not, my mark is sufficient?” “ Certainly.” The will was signed, and attested in si- lence by the two witnesses. When it was done Piers slowly turned his eyes upon Stephen, and addressed him for the first time. “1 think no one will challenge my state- ment or my will,” said Piers with the ghost of asmile. “ Doctor?”’ Dr. Cobbold drew nearer. “Tf the police have done with me, I shall be glad if all of you will withdraw—except Mr. Whitehouse. I am growing rather weak, and I have some instructions for my solici- tor, which are for his ear alone.” The sergeant nodded. Whitehouse was left in the room, alone with the dying man. CHAPTER LI. THE AGREEMENT. ‘ JHEN they were in the hall together the police sergeant turned to Ste- phen Marney. His manner was prave and characterized by respect. comiclbooolx C©