[21] "'Set down the lamp,' I cried. 'Get a table—something—don't lean over me like that.' "But there was nothing, actually nothing for him to put the lamp on, and I was forced to subdue my disgust and get used as best I could to his presence and to his great shadow looming on the wall behind us. But I could not get used to her eyes hurrying me, and my hand trembled as I wrote. "'Have you any name but Cynthia?' I inquired, looking up. "She painfully shook her head. "'You had better tell me what her husband's name was,' I suggested to the brother. "'John Lapham Wakeham,' was the quick reply. "I wrote down both names. Then I said, looking intently at the dying widow: "'As you cannot speak, you must make signs. Shake your hand when you wish to say no, and move it up and down when you wish to say yes. Do you understand?' "She signalled somewhat impatiently that she did, and then, lifting her hand with a tremulous movement, pointed anxiously towards a large Dutch clock, which was the sole object of adornment in the room. "'She urges you to hurry,' whispered the man. 'Make it short, make it short. The doctor I called in this morning said she might die any minute.' [22] "As from her appearance I judged this to be only too possible, I hastily wrote a few words more, and then asked: [22] "'Is this property all that you have to leave?' "I had looked at her, though I knew it would be the man who would answer. "'Yes, yes, this house,' he cried. 'Put it strong; this house and all there is in it.' "I thought of its barren rooms and empty cupboards, and a strange fancy seized me. Going straight to the woman, I leaned over her and said: "'Is it your desire to leave all that you possess to this brother? Real property and personal, this house, and also everything it contains?' "She did not answer, even by a sign, but pointed again to the
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