“Eliza Nelson.” Eliza Nelson. “It is witnessed by Jane and Abner Smith,” added Mr. Chester, “the two servants mentioned in the will. It is regular in every way.” We sat in a dazed silence, trying to understand. After a moment, Silas Tunstall leaned forward. “Kin I see it?” he asked, and held out his hand, his little eyes gleaming more brightly than ever. “Certainly,” said Mr. Chester, and passed the paper over to him. He examined the signatures and the date, and then, settling back again in his chair, proceeded to read the document through for himself. While [Pg 39]he was so engaged, I had a chance to look at him more closely, and I was struck by the profound meanness of his appearance. What sort of philosophy could it be, I wondered, of which he was an earnest and useful disciple? Not one, certainly, which made for largeness of character, if Mr. Tunstall himself was to be taken as an example, and if I read his countenance aright. I saw that my aversion was shared by the other two men present, who no doubt knew Mr. Tunstall well. Both of them sat watching him gloomily, as he read the will, but neither spoke or showed the impatience which they probably felt. [Pg 39] When he had finished, he handed the paper back to Mr. Chester, without a word, but his face was positively glowing with a satisfaction he made no effort to conceal. “Yes,” he said, “thet’s all reg’lar. Anything else?” Then, suddenly, a thought occurred to me. “Doesn’t it say that there is a key to be furnished us, Mr. Chester?” I asked. “Oh, yes,” he said quickly. “I had forgotten. Here it is,” and he handed mother a little sealed envelope. “You will see it is addressed to you, Mrs. Truman,” he added. [Pg 40] [Pg 40] “It doesn’t feel like a key,” she murmured, holding it between her fingers. Then she read what was written on the outside of the envelope:
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