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Speaker 1: The tin box. If I were you, Perkins, said mister

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Booth one evening in the smoking room, I should take

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care what I was about with that little widow. You mean,

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Missus Williams, I inquired, Oh is that her name? Remarked

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my friend, carelessly refilling his pipe with deliberation. Why you

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know it is, I returned rather sharply. I have a

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bad memory for names, said mister Booth, with a slight shrug.

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You seem to be getting quite intimate. I am decently

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civil to her, I replied significantly, and I have avoided her. Yes,

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that's quite true, said mister Booth, smiling. Perhaps I instinctively

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share mister Weller Senior's antipathy to widows. Anyhow, I don't

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like the face of this one. I was astonished and

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rather disturbed at this. I had great confidence in my

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friend's judgment. But when I recalled to mind the refined

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and delicate features, the soft, trustful brown eyes, the gentle voice,

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and the timid, shrinking manner of the unfortunate lady he

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referred to, I was filled with indignation at his cynical attitude.

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Missus Williams had resided at Elvira House for about a

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week or ten days with her only child, a pretty

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little girl of five years old, and owing to the

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accident of being placed next to her at the dinner table,

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I had struck up an acquaintance with her, for she

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was neither remarkably good looking nor particular young, and my

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predilection was rather due to sympathy and good nature than

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to admiration for her personal charms. Besides, she was apparently

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the last person to quote attention for her. Whole thoughts

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seemed centered upon her child, whom she evidently adored. I

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fancy she maneuvered a little to get put next to

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you at the table, said mister Booth, watching me quietly.

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You wouldn't say that if you knew her better, I

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retorted hotly. You think it was an accident, Well, perhaps,

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said my companion in his enigmatical way. I'm sure of it,

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I said emphatically. Missus Nicks arranged it all right, old fellow.

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It is no concern of mine, said mister Booth, good humoredly.

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Only I shouldn't lend her any more money if I

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were you, How do you know I have done so?

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I inquired, brandoning. You asked me to change your check

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the other day. It is a mere guess. But putting

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two and two together, you happen to be ripe. For once,

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I interrupted with some vexation. I lent her ten pounds

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till her dividends fall due on Tuesday next. I suppose

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you are going to suggest that the money is lost.

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It depends upon her circumstances, he replied, nodding his head.

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Well do you know anything about her? Come Booth, out

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with it, I exclaimed, irritably. I how should, I said,

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he raising his eyebrows. I have that I seen her

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before in my life. She's the widow of mister John Williams,

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who died about two years ago. He lived at Gateshead

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and was a wholesale tobacconist. He left everything to her

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by his will. I explained, to show that I was

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not wholly ignorant of the lady's affairs. How do you know,

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inquired mister Booth. She showed me a probate, I replied,

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I didn't ask her, but when she requested me to

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accommodate her with that trifle of her money, she volunteered

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to explain how she was situated. I see, observed mister Booth,

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apparently impressed. Unfortunately, the poor lady was left very badly off.

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I went on, mollified by the change in my friend's manner,

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which was now more sympathetic, And that is what now

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brings her up to town. She has a fixed belief

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that her husband, who seems to have been somewhat eccentric

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in his later days, deposited some money or securities at

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some bank in London or elsewhere. Has she any clue,

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inquired mister Booth, manifestly interested, Not that I know of.

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She is very reticent, I replied. She hasn't asked for

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your assistance. Then said my friend, no, of course I

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should be pleased to help if I could, I said,

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with a touch of defiance in my tone. Mister Booth

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did not gainsay me this time. Either he was tired

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of the subject, or else he perceived that I rather

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resented his interference. At all events, he relapsed into one

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of his silent mood woods in which he was wont

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to indulge, and sat puffing at his pipe with his

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eyes fixed on the fire for the remainder of the evening,

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without joining in general conversation, which presently ensued as the

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other guests strolled in. I was annoyed with him, because

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I thought his opinion of poor little missus Williams was

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unreasonably prejudiced and very unjust. Nevertheless, his warning was not

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quite thrown away upon me, for I determined to observe

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her with closer attention. The only result of this, however,

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was to convince me more firmly than ever of her

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absolute good faith. Though I confess that I began to

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realize that her refinement of speech and manner was partly assumed.

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In unguarded moments, she occasionally dropped an aspirate, and when

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she grew a little excited in speaking of her efforts

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to trace her husband's missing estate, she sometimes made use

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of expressions which were suggestive of a humble origin. But

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these slight solecisms were hardly perceptible, and of course a

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defective education is at most a misfortune for the rest.

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She continued to interest me greatly, and when punctually on

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the appointed day she repaid me the ten pounds with

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many fervent expressions of gratitude. I could not forbear exulting

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over my friend. That is all right, he said laughingly

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on hearing the news. But looked a little shamefaced, as

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I thought, you needn't tell her. I gave you a

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friendly warning. Of course not, I replied indignantly. Any news

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about her husband's property, he asked carelessly. None. She has

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looked up all his London friends and done everything she can,

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I answered. Why doesn't she advertise in the newspapers. She

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did so more than a year ago, in the Times

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and other journals. Have you anything to suggest, I inquired anxiously. No, don't,

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for goodness sake, my dear fellow ask me to mix

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myself up in the lady's affairs, he said, with more

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temper than he usually displayed. I would rather you didn't

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even tell her. You have consulted me about them. I

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promised this more readily because I suddenly remembered having once

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suggested to Missus Williams that she should ask the advice

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of a friend of mine, having mister Booth in my

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mind in her difficulty, and had been met by a

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decided and emphatic refusal. The incident had made no impression

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on me at the time, by the idea now occurred

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to me that perhaps Missus Williams had guessed whom I

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referred to and had been moved by resentment at the

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marked coldness which mister Booth always displayed towards her. I

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had assured him quite truthfully that missus Williams had never

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asked me to assist her in her search, nor had

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I foreseen that she would do so. But a few

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mornings afterwards, the youth who did the valeting of the

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male portion of the establishment, entered my room while I

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was shaving, with an urgent message from the lady that

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she was waiting for me in the drawing room and

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would be obliged if I would descend there as soon

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as possible. I found the little widow looking very pale

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and excited, with an open letter in her hand, which

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had arrived by the earth directly I appeared. She flourished

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triumphantly a slip of blue paper, exclaiming, eagerly see mister Perkins,

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what I have received this morning. My sister, who is

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taking charge of my house at Gateshead, founded between the

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leaves of a book, Boswell's Life of Johnson, which she

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took out quite by chance from the bookcase in the

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dining room. My poor husband was devoted to that work

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and was constantly reading it during his illness. I am

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not much of a reader myself, and if hadn't been

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for my sister, the paper might have remained undiscovered for years.

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While Missus Williams was thus breathlessly explaining, I glanced at

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the document, which was a form of receipt or acknowledgment

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from Messrs Drake Crump and Company, bankers of Fleet Street,

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for a tin box deposited with them by her husband

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for safe custody on a specified date. I congratulate you,

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I replied, thinking how attractive she looked in her excitement.

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It is indeed a fortunate discovery. I knew it. I

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was sure he had done something of the kind, exclaimed

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Missus Williams joyfully, but he was very secretive about his affairs.

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Lately it became quite a mania with him. I shouldn't

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be surprised to find the box contains property of great value.

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The receipt I see is dated about six months before

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your husband died. I observed, Yes, we were up in

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town then, staying in lodgings in Edward Square, Kensington, replied

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Missus Williams reflectively. I brought him to see a physician,

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though nobody suspected at the time. I am the serious

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nature of his symptoms. He used frequently to go out alone.

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And I suppose he got the box from his broker's

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or from some lawyer. Anyhow, he deposited it with Drake

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Crumpet Company. There is no doubt about that, I remarked,

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feeling quite carried away by the widow's satisfaction. I suppose

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you will call upon them and claim it at once. Yes,

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unless I really feel quite ashamed to ask such a

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favor of you, mister Perkins. But I was going to say,

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unless you would mind calling upon them in the first instance.

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The fact is my little girl is not very well

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to day, and besides, this delightful surprise has rather upset me.

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My head ached dreadfully, said Missus Williams, putting her white

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hand to her brow, but smiling bravely. Oh, I shall

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be very pleased, I answered readily. You had better give

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me the probate of your husband's bill. The banker will

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probably want to see that. Certainly, I'll go and fetch it.

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I am so very obliged to you, mister Perkins, said

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the widow, grasping my hand as she left the room.

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Our interview thus terminated. Missus Williams brought down the official parchment,

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and armed with this, I hastened after breakfast to call

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upon Messrs Drake Crump and Company, feeling quite interested and

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excited about the affair. I did not have an opportunity

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of telling mister Booth of my errand he was late

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for breakfast. I remember that I was impatient to be

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off so as to look in at the bank on

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my way to business. I merely mention this, because, as

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will appear later, he afterwards blamed me for not having

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confided in him at this juncture. The banking establishment of

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Messrs Drake, Crump and Company was a small private concern

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which has long since been absorbed by one of those

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big joint stock undertakings. In those days, its affairs were

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conducted in a dingy old house with barred windows, but

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half way down Fleet Street in a leisurely sleepy kind

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of way. The cashier's office was in the front room,

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the staff consisting of three or four elderly clerks, and

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on presenting my card, I was ushered into a gloomy

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little apartment at the back, where sat a quaint, white

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headed old gentleman in knee breeches who was evidently one

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of the partners. Dear me, this is very strange, he exclaimed.

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When I had explained my business, mister Williams is dead,

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is he well? Well, we were wondering. We haven't heard

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anything about him for a long time. He has been

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dead for more than two years, I replied, two years. Eh,

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let me see, he observed, as he rang a handbell

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upon the table. Mister Jameson, he added, as a clerk appeared.

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When did we last hear from John Williams. He has

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not drawn on his account for upwards of two years.

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His past book is here, answered the clerk. Oh, then

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he had a current account as well, I exclaimed, A

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small one, yes, replied the old gentleman. What is the balance,

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mister Jameson, About one hundred and thirty pounds, said the clerk.

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You see the past book being here and the receipt

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for the box, mislaid. His widow had no clue, I

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explained eagerly. Quite so, quite so, and this is the

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probate of his will, hey, said the old gentleman, taking

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it up and holding it close to his nose. I

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wonder you didn't see the advertisements in the papers, I remarked.

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His widow knew he had property somewhere, but and she

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advertised extraordinary that that should have escaped us. We always

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keep a lookout, said the old gentleman, glancing through the probate.

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When did the advertisements appear? I cannot tell you the date,

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Missus Williams will I answered, And you are a friend

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of the widow's, inquired the old gentleman, looking at me

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pretty keenly over his spectacles. Yes, Hm, the probate seems

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all right. She is the sole executrix, I see. Of course,

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if she wants to withdraw the money and take away

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the box, she must attend in person. You can identify her,

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I suppose, and verify her signature. Certainly, Hm, you are

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mister John Perkins of the Monarchy Insurance Office, he said,

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scrutinizing my card. Who is your present manager, mister Middleton?

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To be sure I have the pleasure of knowing him

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making my compliments, said the old man quaintly. I will

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I suppose Missus Williams can raw on the account and

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have access to the box when she chooses, I inquired, Hm, hmm,

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I see the testitur was described in his will as

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of Gateshead, said the old gentleman. Doubtfully, that isn't the

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address in our box. He lived there and his widow

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lives there still, I replied. Missus Williams tells me at

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the date of that deposit receipt they were residing in

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lodgings in Edward Square, Kensington. Quite right, that is the

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address be gave. Well, sir, he added, replying to my

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former question, as everything seems satisfactory, if you will leave

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the probate for registration and call here with the lady

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any time after twelve o'clock tomorrow, the box can be

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given up good morning. I was very pleased for Missus

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William's sake to find that everything straightforward, and the fact

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00:19:02,599 --> 00:19:05,079
of there being a substantial sum of money to the

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dead man's credit, which the widow evidently knew nothing about,

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would I thought be some compensation in case the contents

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00:19:14,319 --> 00:19:17,160
of the box should turn out to be less valuable

240
00:19:17,240 --> 00:19:22,799
than she anticipated. Later in the day, my chief, mister

241
00:19:22,839 --> 00:19:26,119
Middleton surprised me by coming up to my desk at

242
00:19:26,160 --> 00:19:31,200
the office and saying, mister Perkins, I have just answered

243
00:19:31,200 --> 00:19:37,079
an inquiry about you, an inquiry, I exclaimed, rather startled.

244
00:19:38,039 --> 00:19:42,079
Yes from Messrs Drake Crump and Company of Fleet Street.

245
00:19:42,880 --> 00:19:46,400
Have you some private business with them, he asked, curiously,

246
00:19:47,799 --> 00:19:50,640
and not of my own, Sir, A lady in whose

247
00:19:50,680 --> 00:19:55,720
affairs I am interested. All right, mister Perkins, I don't

248
00:19:55,759 --> 00:19:59,319
wish to inquire details, he said, smiling at my embarrassment.

249
00:20:00,319 --> 00:20:03,079
I was, of course pleased to out for your respectability

250
00:20:03,119 --> 00:20:09,359
and integrity. Thank you, sir, I replied, secretly, annoyed at

251
00:20:09,400 --> 00:20:11,839
the banker's inquisitiveness.

252
00:20:13,079 --> 00:20:15,960
Speaker 2: I now perceived that I had been more service to

253
00:20:16,000 --> 00:20:20,319
missus Williams than I had anticipated, having unconsciously acted as

254
00:20:20,319 --> 00:20:23,480
a sort of reference for her, and thereby saved her

255
00:20:23,640 --> 00:20:28,720
perhaps some little trouble with regard to identification. This gave

256
00:20:28,759 --> 00:20:31,720
an additional zest to the pleasure of being able to

257
00:20:31,759 --> 00:20:34,480
make such a satisfactory report to her on my return,

258
00:20:35,240 --> 00:20:37,440
and I am bound to say that the widow was

259
00:20:37,559 --> 00:20:42,720
duly grateful. She overwhelmed me with expressions of thanks, and

260
00:20:42,880 --> 00:20:47,240
was really disposed to exaggerate my small civility. I wrote

261
00:20:47,279 --> 00:20:51,079
a letter at her request to Messrs Drake Crump and Company,

262
00:20:51,720 --> 00:20:54,359
fixing an appointment with them for two o'clock on the

263
00:20:54,400 --> 00:20:59,519
following afternoon, and appending a specimen of Missus Billiant's signature,

264
00:21:00,359 --> 00:21:05,200
and of course I rapidly agreed to accompany her. When

265
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I told mister Booth all this, he manifested considerable irritation, which,

266
00:21:10,240 --> 00:21:13,960
in my surprise, I was foolish enough to attribute to

267
00:21:14,000 --> 00:21:17,319
a sort of jealousy, since I could imagine no other

268
00:21:17,440 --> 00:21:19,759
possible cause for his ill humor.

269
00:21:21,240 --> 00:21:23,759
Speaker 1: What the deuce do you want go meddling with this

270
00:21:23,880 --> 00:21:29,200
woman's affairs for Perkins, he said, sharply. What harm have

271
00:21:29,319 --> 00:21:35,680
I done? I exclaimed, harm? Hum that remains to be seen,

272
00:21:36,359 --> 00:21:42,079
he growled, puffing angrily at his pipe. I cannot understand

273
00:21:42,160 --> 00:21:46,160
your prejudice against this poor lady, I said, getting angry

274
00:21:46,160 --> 00:21:51,519
in my turn, I take no interest in her whatever,

275
00:21:51,920 --> 00:22:01,599
said mister Booth. That's no reason why I shouldn't. I retorted, Oh,

276
00:22:01,640 --> 00:22:04,480
go your own way. Only remember that I warned you,

277
00:22:04,960 --> 00:22:08,559
said mister Booth, dismissing the subject with an impatient shrug.

278
00:22:10,559 --> 00:22:14,279
We might almost have quarreled, but I was really more

279
00:22:14,319 --> 00:22:19,599
amused than angry that my friend soon recovered his temper.

280
00:22:21,200 --> 00:22:24,759
Nothing more was said between us about Missus Williams, and

281
00:22:24,839 --> 00:22:28,519
I attached so little importance to mister Booth's vague warnings

282
00:22:29,000 --> 00:22:31,279
that it never even occurred to me to cancel the

283
00:22:31,279 --> 00:22:36,799
appointment I had made Accordingly. The next day, at two o'clock,

284
00:22:37,839 --> 00:22:39,920
I was waiting for the widow at the door of

285
00:22:40,039 --> 00:22:44,960
Messrs Drake, Crump and Company's bank, as arranged, and being

286
00:22:45,079 --> 00:22:48,240
rather pressed to get back to my office, I began

287
00:22:48,279 --> 00:22:53,079
to grow impatient as she did not appear. Ten twenty

288
00:22:53,480 --> 00:22:57,079
forty minutes passed without any sign of her, and I

289
00:22:57,200 --> 00:22:59,720
was on the point of leaving, thinking the lady had

290
00:22:59,720 --> 00:23:03,480
made a mistake, when I suddenly espied her on the

291
00:23:03,519 --> 00:23:06,880
opposite side of the way, coming up the street from

292
00:23:06,880 --> 00:23:11,799
the direction of Saint Paul's. She looked pale and fatigued,

293
00:23:12,680 --> 00:23:16,400
and as I hastened to her assistance, I saw her

294
00:23:16,440 --> 00:23:21,160
glance nervously over her shoulder at a slouching, white bearded,

295
00:23:21,319 --> 00:23:24,200
ragged old beggar man who appeared to be following her.

296
00:23:25,920 --> 00:23:31,839
What is the matter? Has anything happened? I inquired? Oh no,

297
00:23:32,640 --> 00:23:35,839
I lost my way, that's all, said Missus Williams, with

298
00:23:35,880 --> 00:23:41,319
a nervous laugh. Has that fellow been annoying you? I asked,

299
00:23:41,759 --> 00:23:44,920
lowering my voice. As the old beggar slunk by hurriedly.

300
00:23:46,799 --> 00:23:51,319
That man exclaimed Missus Williams, glancing after him. Oh no,

301
00:23:52,240 --> 00:23:57,279
I hadn't noticed him. I gave her my arm and

302
00:23:57,400 --> 00:24:02,119
escorted her across the crowded road into the back. In

303
00:24:02,200 --> 00:24:05,200
the parlor. At the back we found old mister Crump

304
00:24:05,240 --> 00:24:08,680
awaiting us, and on a side table was a good

305
00:24:08,799 --> 00:24:13,079
sized tin box with Missus Williams's name inscribed upon it

306
00:24:13,200 --> 00:24:19,400
on a paper label. There it is, exclaimed the widow,

307
00:24:19,759 --> 00:24:24,680
as her eyes sparkled. I remember it now. I always

308
00:24:24,720 --> 00:24:29,839
wondered what became of it. Have you the key, madam,

309
00:24:30,160 --> 00:24:33,920
inquired mister Crump, after greeting us with the old fashioned

310
00:24:33,920 --> 00:24:39,000
courtesy and bowing very low to my companion. I think so.

311
00:24:40,000 --> 00:24:42,519
At least I have one or two keys here which

312
00:24:42,559 --> 00:24:45,920
I haven't been able to account for, said Missus Williams,

313
00:24:46,039 --> 00:24:51,039
producing her purse eagerly. She selected one of the keys, and,

314
00:24:51,240 --> 00:24:54,720
crossing over to the box, succeeded in opening it immediately.

315
00:24:56,440 --> 00:24:59,160
I only had a glimpse of the contents before Missus

316
00:24:59,200 --> 00:25:03,599
Williams shut down the lid and relocked it, And as

317
00:25:03,640 --> 00:25:06,559
they were done up in brown paper parcels or packages,

318
00:25:07,039 --> 00:25:13,160
I could form no idea of their nature or value.

319
00:25:13,480 --> 00:25:15,680
I have prepared a check so that you can draw

320
00:25:15,720 --> 00:25:19,799
out the money if you wish, said mister Crump. Thank you,

321
00:25:20,200 --> 00:25:24,480
replied Missus Williams, seating herself at his desk and affixing

322
00:25:24,519 --> 00:25:29,839
her signature to the draft. Will you take it in cash,

323
00:25:30,000 --> 00:25:36,160
asked mister Crump. Yes, please in notes and twenty pounds

324
00:25:36,200 --> 00:25:41,799
in gold, said the widow with a businesslike promptitude, as

325
00:25:41,839 --> 00:25:46,759
she drew on her glove again. Mister Crump summoned the cashier,

326
00:25:47,559 --> 00:25:51,440
to whom he handed the draft with the necessary directions,

327
00:25:52,039 --> 00:25:55,559
to which I added a request that the porter may

328
00:25:55,599 --> 00:25:59,799
be permitted to call a cab during the absence of

329
00:25:59,839 --> 00:26:03,960
the Mister Crump observed in course of the conversation, which

330
00:26:04,079 --> 00:26:08,000
naturally turned on the late mister Williams eccentric conduct with

331
00:26:08,119 --> 00:26:13,480
regard to his property. By the way, I have looked

332
00:26:13,480 --> 00:26:16,759
through the files of the Times for the advertisement, but

333
00:26:16,839 --> 00:26:24,480
I couldn't find it. What advertisement, inquired Missus Williams. I

334
00:26:24,559 --> 00:26:27,480
understood from mister Perkins that you had advertised in the

335
00:26:27,519 --> 00:26:32,319
papers for information about your husband's missing estate, said mister Crump,

336
00:26:32,400 --> 00:26:37,319
looking at me. Oh, yes, so I did, answered the widow,

337
00:26:37,559 --> 00:26:44,079
coloring slightly. What was the date asked mister Crump. Really,

338
00:26:44,640 --> 00:26:48,200
I cannot at the moment recollect. I can send you

339
00:26:48,200 --> 00:26:50,799
a copy of it when I get back, if it

340
00:26:50,880 --> 00:26:56,240
is of any moment, said Missus Williams rather sharply. It

341
00:26:56,319 --> 00:26:59,319
is of no consequence, of course, replied the old gentleman,

342
00:27:00,079 --> 00:27:04,200
evidently perturbed at seeing that the lady showed signs of resentment.

343
00:27:05,240 --> 00:27:11,200
I merely asked out of curiosity. Missus Williams appeared from

344
00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:15,480
her manner to resent mister Crump's inquiry as insinuating some

345
00:27:15,720 --> 00:27:20,519
doubt upon the accuracy of her statement. But fortunately the

346
00:27:20,640 --> 00:27:24,119
return of the cashier with her money cost a welcome diversion.

347
00:27:26,000 --> 00:27:28,359
While she was towing away the notes and gold in

348
00:27:28,400 --> 00:27:32,960
her purse, the cashier looked at me and said, there

349
00:27:33,000 --> 00:27:35,440
is a cab at the door, Sir, shall I ask

350
00:27:35,480 --> 00:27:40,599
the porter to carry the box down. I think I

351
00:27:40,640 --> 00:27:43,519
can manage it. It is not heavy, I replied, as

352
00:27:43,559 --> 00:27:44,960
I have prepared to lift it.

353
00:27:47,359 --> 00:27:51,039
Speaker 2: I had been thinking, mister Perkins, said Missus Williams reflectively,

354
00:27:51,240 --> 00:27:54,599
while putting her purse away, that perhaps it would be

355
00:27:54,680 --> 00:27:56,720
wiser to leave the box here for a day or

356
00:27:56,799 --> 00:28:00,720
two till I returned to Gateshead. That is she added,

357
00:28:01,319 --> 00:28:04,839
turning to the old gentleman with her pleasanter smile. If

358
00:28:04,839 --> 00:28:06,720
mister Crump will kindly allow me.

359
00:28:08,920 --> 00:28:11,720
Speaker 1: You are welcome to leave it, Madam, at your own risk,

360
00:28:11,799 --> 00:28:17,400
of course, replied mister Crump, a little stiffly. You see,

361
00:28:17,640 --> 00:28:19,519
I have no where to keep it while I am

362
00:28:19,559 --> 00:28:24,119
in town. The lady explained, it would be safer here.

363
00:28:26,960 --> 00:28:30,119
It's a little irregular, as you are no longer a customer,

364
00:28:30,640 --> 00:28:37,240
said mister Crump. But still, oh, but if I find

365
00:28:37,279 --> 00:28:40,000
I can afford it, I shall probably come to live

366
00:28:40,039 --> 00:28:43,440
in London, and in that case I should certainly keep

367
00:28:43,480 --> 00:28:49,279
my account here, interrupted Missus Williams. Graciously. In any case,

368
00:28:49,839 --> 00:28:52,559
I am very pleased to oblige you, madam, said the

369
00:28:52,599 --> 00:28:58,240
old gentleman more politely. Those surprised that Missus Williams was

370
00:28:58,279 --> 00:29:01,799
able to restrain her curiosity about the contents of the box,

371
00:29:02,599 --> 00:29:06,519
it was obvious that her suggestion was prudent, and therefore

372
00:29:07,000 --> 00:29:11,000
we left the box in charge of the bank. Mister

373
00:29:11,039 --> 00:29:14,440
Crump bowed us out of his room very civilly, and

374
00:29:14,480 --> 00:29:17,880
the porter ushered us to the street door, in front

375
00:29:17,920 --> 00:29:22,240
of which was a four wheeled cab. Just as we

376
00:29:22,400 --> 00:29:25,920
reached it. The old gray haired beggar man, whom I

377
00:29:25,960 --> 00:29:31,119
had noticed before, rushed forward and obscusely turned the handle.

378
00:29:32,720 --> 00:29:37,319
Missus Williams sprang lightly into the vehicle, and again, I thought,

379
00:29:37,799 --> 00:29:43,960
she glanced nervously at the caging old rascal. Here you

380
00:29:44,079 --> 00:29:49,200
be off, my man, I said to him, sharply, No, no, here,

381
00:29:49,240 --> 00:29:52,799
my poor fellow. Is something for you, said Missus Williams,

382
00:29:53,519 --> 00:29:56,000
And before I could prevent her, she put her hand

383
00:29:56,079 --> 00:30:01,519
over my shoulder and gave the beggar a sixpence. You

384
00:30:01,599 --> 00:30:05,119
shouldn't be so foolish, I said, laughingly, as the old

385
00:30:05,160 --> 00:30:10,240
man shuffled off with his price. Think of my good luck,

386
00:30:10,319 --> 00:30:15,519
mister Perkins, laughed the widow. I gave the cabman the

387
00:30:15,599 --> 00:30:19,920
address of Elvira House and lifted my hat to Missus

388
00:30:19,960 --> 00:30:24,640
Williams from the payment as she drove away, little imagining

389
00:30:24,799 --> 00:30:27,599
that she would have left London before I returned in

390
00:30:27,640 --> 00:30:31,559
the evening. But so it happened, for when I reached

391
00:30:31,599 --> 00:30:35,200
Elvira House at the end of the day, I learned

392
00:30:35,240 --> 00:30:38,480
that the widow had received a telegram an hour or

393
00:30:38,519 --> 00:30:43,039
so previously, summoning her to bath on the account of

394
00:30:43,119 --> 00:30:49,079
the illness of her mother. She left many kind messages

395
00:30:49,119 --> 00:30:52,880
for you, added missus Nicks. When she gave me the information.

396
00:30:53,279 --> 00:30:55,440
Speaker 2: She said she would write to you in the course

397
00:30:55,480 --> 00:30:56,880
of a day or two.

398
00:30:57,279 --> 00:31:01,000
Speaker 1: She was dreadfully upset, poor thing at the sad news.

399
00:31:02,240 --> 00:31:04,519
I did not even know she had a mother living.

400
00:31:05,279 --> 00:31:10,000
I remarked, you were the only person she confided in,

401
00:31:10,680 --> 00:31:15,640
said missus Nicks playfully. I suppose the little girl has

402
00:31:15,680 --> 00:31:22,440
gone too, I observed, a trifle abashed. Yes, a sweet child.

403
00:31:22,799 --> 00:31:26,680
Everyone is so sorry to lose them. Missus Williams was

404
00:31:26,720 --> 00:31:30,039
a universal favorite, said missus Nicks.

405
00:31:31,720 --> 00:31:34,880
Speaker 2: This was evidently the case, to judge from the expressions

406
00:31:34,880 --> 00:31:38,039
of regret which were uttered at the dinner table when

407
00:31:38,039 --> 00:31:42,200
her departure became generally known. We had rather a reduced

408
00:31:42,200 --> 00:31:47,079
company that evening, there being several wakened places. The Major

409
00:31:47,160 --> 00:31:50,559
had gone to attend some races at York, whither mister

410
00:31:50,599 --> 00:31:54,400
Booth was understood to have accompanied him, and two or

411
00:31:54,440 --> 00:31:58,960
three of our guests were dining out. I was surprised

412
00:31:58,960 --> 00:32:02,680
to hear of my friend having yielded to the Major's persuasions,

413
00:32:03,400 --> 00:32:05,759
for when the latter had brought the subject of the

414
00:32:05,839 --> 00:32:09,599
expedition in the smoking room, on the previous evening. Mister

415
00:32:09,680 --> 00:32:14,920
Booth had flatly refused the invitation, but horse racing was

416
00:32:14,960 --> 00:32:19,039
a form of sport which seemed to possess extraordinary attractions

417
00:32:19,079 --> 00:32:23,000
for him, and I supposed he had been partly influenced

418
00:32:23,039 --> 00:32:27,720
by desire to keep his companion out of mischief. I

419
00:32:27,799 --> 00:32:30,680
must confess that I felt a little depressed at the

420
00:32:30,680 --> 00:32:36,079
widow's unexpected absence. It was quite untrue that I admired her,

421
00:32:36,880 --> 00:32:41,039
but her confidences had heightened my platonic regard, and her

422
00:32:41,079 --> 00:32:47,039
personality undoubtedly attracted me. I therefore awaited the promised letter

423
00:32:47,200 --> 00:32:50,599
with some impatience, and she was good enough not to

424
00:32:50,680 --> 00:32:53,960
leave me long into spense, for by the next evening's

425
00:32:53,960 --> 00:32:58,279
post I received from her the following epistle, dated from

426
00:32:58,359 --> 00:33:04,960
Lower Pulteney Street Bath. My dear mister Perkins, alas, my

427
00:33:05,119 --> 00:33:10,240
poor dear mother is dying, so shocking and so totally unexpected.

428
00:33:11,160 --> 00:33:14,279
Of course I must remain by her side till the end,

429
00:33:14,599 --> 00:33:17,759
and she may yet linger for some weeks. The doctor says.

430
00:33:18,279 --> 00:33:21,400
I hope missus snext gave you my message. I can

431
00:33:21,440 --> 00:33:26,160
never thank you sufficiently for all your kindness, dear mister Perkins.

432
00:33:26,400 --> 00:33:29,160
And yet I have a further favor to ask a

433
00:33:29,200 --> 00:33:33,400
few You know what sick people are. I told my

434
00:33:33,480 --> 00:33:36,960
dear mother, who is perfectly conscious about the box at

435
00:33:36,960 --> 00:33:41,359
the bank. Nothing will satisfy her but to know what

436
00:33:41,400 --> 00:33:44,720
it contains, as she is anxious to be assured that

437
00:33:44,839 --> 00:33:49,279
my little girl and I are sufficiently provided for. How

438
00:33:49,440 --> 00:33:52,400
I regret that I did not examine the contents that

439
00:33:52,599 --> 00:33:56,640
day at the bank. And now what am I to do.

440
00:33:57,680 --> 00:34:00,960
I dare not leave my poor mother even for an hour.

441
00:34:02,200 --> 00:34:05,519
I wonder whether you would undertake a journey here and

442
00:34:05,599 --> 00:34:09,400
bring the box with you. I know it is too

443
00:34:09,519 --> 00:34:12,639
much to ask, yet I have ventured to write to

444
00:34:12,679 --> 00:34:16,079
the bank to say that you might call. I am

445
00:34:16,360 --> 00:34:19,760
sure your kind heart will prompt you to do this

446
00:34:19,960 --> 00:34:24,320
if you possibly can. You are most faithfully and sincerely,

447
00:34:24,840 --> 00:34:27,840
dear mister Perkins, Amelia Williams.

448
00:34:30,440 --> 00:34:34,480
Speaker 1: I was rather startled by this request, and yet well

449
00:34:34,599 --> 00:34:39,280
in short, I decided to comply with it. I wonder

450
00:34:39,360 --> 00:34:44,119
at myself now most of us have experienced similar astonishment

451
00:34:44,280 --> 00:34:46,440
at past foolish actions.

452
00:34:47,559 --> 00:34:50,800
Speaker 2: My chief objection at the time was that I could

453
00:34:50,880 --> 00:34:54,440
not very well get away from the office. However, on

454
00:34:54,599 --> 00:34:58,199
consulting a railway timetable. I found that Bath was a

455
00:34:58,280 --> 00:35:02,000
much more accessible place than I had imagined. A half

456
00:35:02,039 --> 00:35:05,239
day holiday would be all that had acquired, for I

457
00:35:05,239 --> 00:35:09,480
could travel down there and return the same evening. The

458
00:35:09,559 --> 00:35:13,119
next day was a Saturday, so that all the indulgence

459
00:35:13,199 --> 00:35:16,559
I need ask of my employers was a singular in

460
00:35:16,760 --> 00:35:19,280
order that I might get to the bank before two

461
00:35:19,320 --> 00:35:24,440
o'clock to obtain the box. I therefore wrote immediately to

462
00:35:24,480 --> 00:35:27,239
Missus Williams to say that I would travel down by

463
00:35:27,320 --> 00:35:31,920
train which left Paddington at three o'clock, arriving at Bath

464
00:35:31,960 --> 00:35:36,000
at five fifteen, and that I should return by express,

465
00:35:36,320 --> 00:35:40,639
which would bring me back to town about nine. I had

466
00:35:40,679 --> 00:35:43,639
no reason for remaining at Bath, and I thought I

467
00:35:43,719 --> 00:35:48,639
might accomplish my journey before mister Booth came back. I

468
00:35:48,760 --> 00:35:52,000
think I must have had this vague idea of keeping

469
00:35:52,000 --> 00:35:55,199
my trip a secret, both from him and from the

470
00:35:55,280 --> 00:35:58,639
other guests, for I was a little sensitive about remarks

471
00:35:58,880 --> 00:36:01,280
which had been made about my attention to the widow.

472
00:36:02,599 --> 00:36:06,199
I duly carried out my program. The box was handed

473
00:36:06,199 --> 00:36:08,719
over to me at the bank without the slightest demur

474
00:36:09,320 --> 00:36:11,840
in consequence of a letter they had received from Missus

475
00:36:11,840 --> 00:36:16,440
Williams and I arrived at bath punctually at the time named.

476
00:36:17,559 --> 00:36:20,400
I hired a fly and drove straight to the widow's

477
00:36:20,400 --> 00:36:24,719
address in Lower Pulteney Street. But the servant who opened

478
00:36:24,719 --> 00:36:28,239
the door said, to my surprise that the lady was out,

479
00:36:28,760 --> 00:36:32,280
and handed me a brief penciled note from her, saying

480
00:36:32,800 --> 00:36:35,760
that she had been called away unexpectedly, owing to her

481
00:36:35,760 --> 00:36:40,960
mother's condition, and asking me to leave the box. The

482
00:36:41,000 --> 00:36:44,519
poor old lady is not in the house, then, I remarked, casually,

483
00:36:45,800 --> 00:36:49,599
what old lady, Sir inquired the girl, opening her eyes.

484
00:36:50,719 --> 00:36:55,440
Missus Williams's mother. Do you know where she lives? No, Sir,

485
00:36:55,639 --> 00:36:59,000
I don't never heard her mention she had a mother

486
00:36:59,079 --> 00:37:04,559
here in, Sir, added the girl. But Missus Williams is

487
00:37:04,559 --> 00:37:08,719
in constant attendance upon her mother, who is dying, I exclaimed.

488
00:37:10,280 --> 00:37:13,320
Missus Williams has hardly left the house since she has

489
00:37:13,400 --> 00:37:17,320
been here, Sir, said the girl, evidently struck by my surprise.

490
00:37:18,840 --> 00:37:20,960
She and her little girl went for a drive in

491
00:37:21,039 --> 00:37:24,119
a fly about an hour ago. I don't know where

492
00:37:24,159 --> 00:37:27,639
they went to, she said. If a gentleman came and

493
00:37:27,760 --> 00:37:30,480
left the tin box, I was to take great care

494
00:37:30,559 --> 00:37:34,880
of it. Did Missus Williams say when she would return?

495
00:37:35,199 --> 00:37:39,599
I inquired, with an uneasy feeling. She said I was

496
00:37:39,679 --> 00:37:43,039
to have tea ready at six o'clock. Sir replied the girl,

497
00:37:43,119 --> 00:37:47,239
glancing back at the clock. I will come in and wait,

498
00:37:47,800 --> 00:37:51,559
I said, with sudden resolution. As I stepped inside the hall.

499
00:37:53,400 --> 00:37:57,360
The servant, whose good faith was manifest ushered me into

500
00:37:57,400 --> 00:38:01,480
a neat parlor and then left me after again as

501
00:38:01,519 --> 00:38:05,320
of rating in answer to pressing inquiries, that Missus Williams

502
00:38:05,400 --> 00:38:10,559
was certainly not in attendance on an invalid Indeed, it

503
00:38:10,599 --> 00:38:13,800
was impossible to doubt from the girl's detailed account of

504
00:38:13,840 --> 00:38:17,719
the widow's movement since her arrival in Bath that the

505
00:38:17,800 --> 00:38:20,840
story of the Dying Mother was a complete fiction.

506
00:38:22,039 --> 00:38:25,480
Speaker 1: I felt very much like a person who has unexpectedly

507
00:38:25,559 --> 00:38:29,840
received a doush of cold water. At first sight, it

508
00:38:29,960 --> 00:38:32,880
seemed as though the story had been merely a device

509
00:38:33,559 --> 00:38:36,960
to work upon my feelings in order to induce me

510
00:38:37,559 --> 00:38:41,519
to bring the box down to Bath. Even so, however,

511
00:38:42,239 --> 00:38:46,559
it was extraordinary behavior on Missus Williams's part to absent

512
00:38:46,679 --> 00:38:51,000
herself just at the hour of my arrival. She had

513
00:38:51,039 --> 00:38:54,880
evidently counted upon my leaving the box and returning at

514
00:38:54,920 --> 00:38:58,719
once to London as I had planned. But why this

515
00:38:58,880 --> 00:39:02,639
sudden reluctance to meet me, to say nothing of the

516
00:39:02,800 --> 00:39:10,000
ungrateful discourtesy. I grimly resolved to await an explanation, And

517
00:39:10,079 --> 00:39:13,000
when I recalled at mine that Missus Williams had given

518
00:39:13,039 --> 00:39:16,320
the alleged illness of her mother as an excuse for

519
00:39:16,440 --> 00:39:23,239
hurried departure from Elvira House, my mystification increased. The repeated

520
00:39:23,280 --> 00:39:27,920
warnings of mister Booth rose unpleasantly to my mind, and

521
00:39:28,039 --> 00:39:31,400
I had worked myself into a state of mingled indignation

522
00:39:31,599 --> 00:39:35,719
and resentment. When a ring at the street door bell announced,

523
00:39:36,280 --> 00:39:42,079
as I imagined the return of Missus Williams, I awaited

524
00:39:42,119 --> 00:39:46,320
her with a considerable trepidation, for I felt that my

525
00:39:46,440 --> 00:39:52,320
position was both painful and embarrassing. I heard servants respond

526
00:39:52,360 --> 00:39:56,079
to the summons, and the next moment the room door

527
00:39:56,199 --> 00:40:01,400
was thrown open, and who should walk in but mister Booth.

528
00:40:03,760 --> 00:40:07,480
I started and stared at him as though I had

529
00:40:07,480 --> 00:40:12,360
seen a ghost, while he seemed equally surprised at seeing me.

530
00:40:13,760 --> 00:40:18,079
Though he recovered himself quickly. He glanced at the box

531
00:40:18,119 --> 00:40:24,320
on the table, and his eyes twinkled. HULLO. I thought

532
00:40:24,400 --> 00:40:29,000
you were at York, I gasped, And I thought you

533
00:40:29,079 --> 00:40:34,239
were in London, he said, smiling at my astonishment. I

534
00:40:34,239 --> 00:40:39,440
am waiting to see missus Williams, I explained. She is

535
00:40:39,599 --> 00:40:44,119
a very clever little woman, he said emphatically. You came

536
00:40:44,159 --> 00:40:48,840
by the five fifteen train. I suppose with that. Yes,

537
00:40:50,400 --> 00:40:53,639
while she to put me off the scent seeks to

538
00:40:53,719 --> 00:40:56,480
lead me a wild goose chaise so as to leave

539
00:40:56,559 --> 00:41:01,239
the coast clear, he added, nodding his head. I've found

540
00:41:01,239 --> 00:41:03,599
a note from her asking me to leave the box,

541
00:41:03,679 --> 00:41:09,400
I said, resentfully. Yes, she didn't mean to be impolite

542
00:41:09,400 --> 00:41:13,760
to you, said mister Boots, slyly. The fact is she

543
00:41:13,840 --> 00:41:17,079
has been so closely shadowed that, if she had stayed

544
00:41:17,079 --> 00:41:20,000
at home for you, your arrival with the box would

545
00:41:20,000 --> 00:41:24,239
have been noticed. I suspected a trick, though I must

546
00:41:24,280 --> 00:41:27,840
own that my calling here in her absence was nothing

547
00:41:27,920 --> 00:41:33,760
short of an inspiration, he added, with great satisfaction. Perhaps

548
00:41:33,800 --> 00:41:37,920
you will kindly explain it all, I exclaimed, with a

549
00:41:37,960 --> 00:41:42,320
show of indignation, which was intended to disguise my increasing confusion.

550
00:41:44,079 --> 00:41:48,440
Not now, he said, coolly, taking possession of the box.

551
00:41:49,559 --> 00:41:52,440
Unless you want an awkward scene with the woman, which

552
00:41:52,519 --> 00:41:56,039
might end in my having to call in the police.

553
00:41:56,320 --> 00:42:00,000
In that case, my friend, you would figure somewhat unpleas

554
00:42:00,000 --> 00:42:03,840
presently before the public as an innocent accomplice in an

555
00:42:03,880 --> 00:42:09,159
awkward affair. We had better clear out before she returns.

556
00:42:10,840 --> 00:42:14,639
But the box belongs to missus Williams, I exclaimed, horrified.

557
00:42:16,239 --> 00:42:22,400
Well it does, and it doesn't. I'll explain going along. Meanwhile,

558
00:42:22,880 --> 00:42:27,280
possession is nine points of the law, he said, putting

559
00:42:27,280 --> 00:42:29,599
the box under his arm and moving to the door.

560
00:42:31,239 --> 00:42:33,840
I was scared by the suggestion of a public scandal,

561
00:42:34,679 --> 00:42:38,920
and I had complete faith in my friend. I therefore

562
00:42:38,960 --> 00:42:42,679
put on my hat and followed him and by rushing

563
00:42:42,679 --> 00:42:45,239
through the streets until we met a fly, which drove

564
00:42:45,360 --> 00:42:48,960
us at full speed to the station. We just contrived

565
00:42:49,039 --> 00:42:51,840
to catch the six point five train back to Torown

566
00:42:52,679 --> 00:42:58,480
as it was beginning to move away. Well, I inquired eagerly,

567
00:42:59,039 --> 00:43:03,239
as soon as I had recovered my breath. We had,

568
00:43:03,280 --> 00:43:08,119
fortunately and quite my chance, secured an empty first class compartment.

569
00:43:09,719 --> 00:43:13,400
Mister Booth was leaning back with an air of calm triumph,

570
00:43:13,800 --> 00:43:17,199
lighting a cigar while his feet resting on the tin

571
00:43:17,239 --> 00:43:23,519
box missus Williams, he said quietly, is the wife of

572
00:43:23,559 --> 00:43:28,679
an accomplished forger and swell mobsman, who is at present

573
00:43:28,920 --> 00:43:35,000
undergoing the felicity of fourteen years penal servitude. The wife,

574
00:43:35,519 --> 00:43:41,559
I gasped, Yes, his real name is Bolton, but he

575
00:43:41,639 --> 00:43:47,719
called himself Williams, among other aliases in that name. He

576
00:43:47,800 --> 00:43:51,719
opened an account at the Drake's Bank and deposited the

577
00:43:51,800 --> 00:43:58,199
box a few months before he was arrested. It was

578
00:43:58,320 --> 00:44:05,440
her husband's property, then, I exclaimed, slightly relieved, It contains

579
00:44:05,480 --> 00:44:09,440
the proceeds of a very ingenious robbery in Hatton Garden.

580
00:44:10,760 --> 00:44:13,599
He was known to have hidden a good bit away somewhere,

581
00:44:14,199 --> 00:44:17,920
but he kept his mouth shut and the police were nonplussed.

582
00:44:19,000 --> 00:44:22,840
So was his clever little wife, whose ingenuity and pluck

583
00:44:22,960 --> 00:44:27,800
I can't help admiring. Didn't he tell her? I inquired?

584
00:44:28,199 --> 00:44:34,320
Interested in spite of my unenviable feelings, Yes, But she

585
00:44:34,400 --> 00:44:37,679
couldn't get it at all. It was lodged at the

586
00:44:37,719 --> 00:44:40,840
bank in the name of Williams for safety, and she

587
00:44:41,000 --> 00:44:45,440
dared not claim it. But she bided her time, and

588
00:44:45,519 --> 00:44:48,239
at length she heard of the death of mister John

589
00:44:48,320 --> 00:44:53,039
Williams at Gateshead, which showed her husband's prudence in having

590
00:44:53,079 --> 00:44:58,440
adopted a common name. Of course, this was her opportunity.

591
00:44:59,639 --> 00:45:04,199
The death man, A complete stranger was made to represent

592
00:45:04,320 --> 00:45:09,239
the actual depositor, and Missus Williams pretended to be the widow.

593
00:45:11,760 --> 00:45:14,199
How did she get hold of the probate of another

594
00:45:14,280 --> 00:45:19,599
man's will? I asked, Probably bribe the clerk of the

595
00:45:19,639 --> 00:45:24,840
solicitor who had custody of it. You see, probates are

596
00:45:24,920 --> 00:45:29,239
no good when once an estate is wound up. This

597
00:45:29,440 --> 00:45:33,400
one was probably kicking about the office and wouldn't be missed.

598
00:45:35,920 --> 00:45:39,920
What of the real Missus Williams of Gateshead? She is

599
00:45:40,039 --> 00:45:44,519
dead and the advertisements said to have been inserted in

600
00:45:44,559 --> 00:45:50,519
the papers all a lie. That are no advertisements, My

601
00:45:50,760 --> 00:45:55,239
dear fellow, She made you serve her purpose, beautifully, laughed

602
00:45:55,239 --> 00:46:01,199
mister Booth. It was very unfriendly not to have given

603
00:46:01,199 --> 00:46:07,559
me a hint, I exclaimed, furiously indignant, My dear Perkins,

604
00:46:08,320 --> 00:46:13,760
didn't I warn you over and over again? Yes, but

605
00:46:13,880 --> 00:46:19,039
you didn't tell me what you knew, Because at first

606
00:46:19,239 --> 00:46:24,519
I knew absolutely nothing. I simply mistrusted her from some

607
00:46:24,639 --> 00:46:29,159
kind of instinct. But when you told me the woman's story,

608
00:46:30,000 --> 00:46:32,760
I went round to Scotland Yard, where I have a friend,

609
00:46:32,960 --> 00:46:36,599
said mister Booth, delicately, flicking the ash from his cigar

610
00:46:36,679 --> 00:46:41,679
with his little finger, and was shown some photographs. That

611
00:46:41,880 --> 00:46:44,400
same evening you told me you had been to the

612
00:46:44,440 --> 00:46:48,599
bank on her behalf. You may remember that I was

613
00:46:48,599 --> 00:46:55,480
annoyed with you even then. You might have been more explicit,

614
00:46:55,760 --> 00:47:01,599
I replied, angrily. Well, the fact is, my perkins, as

615
00:47:01,639 --> 00:47:05,840
you had already committed yourself, I couldn't resist the temptation

616
00:47:06,159 --> 00:47:11,079
of undertaking this little coup. You played into my hands,

617
00:47:11,159 --> 00:47:15,599
as it were. But there is no harm done, he added,

618
00:47:15,679 --> 00:47:20,400
laughing at my discomfiture. It is entirely a private venture

619
00:47:20,440 --> 00:47:26,119
of my own, carried out single handed. Why didn't she

620
00:47:26,199 --> 00:47:29,320
take the box away from the bank that day, I inquired,

621
00:47:29,400 --> 00:47:34,559
after a sulky silence, Because she discovered she was being watched,

622
00:47:34,920 --> 00:47:40,039
replied mister Booth, with imperturbable good humor. Do you remembered

623
00:47:40,119 --> 00:47:45,920
an old gray bearded man. Yes, she spotted him, and

624
00:47:45,960 --> 00:47:52,079
that sent her out of London, you followed, I suppose, yes.

625
00:47:53,159 --> 00:47:55,559
I knew she would contrive to get the box send

626
00:47:55,679 --> 00:47:59,199
down to her. I thought she would probably have it

627
00:47:59,280 --> 00:48:03,679
brought down one of the bank's messengers. I never thought

628
00:48:04,320 --> 00:48:09,719
she would have the cheek to Mister Booth checked himself abruptly,

629
00:48:10,639 --> 00:48:16,239
evidently out of consideration for my feelings. Then, after puffing

630
00:48:16,280 --> 00:48:19,960
at his cigar for a few moments, he added, in

631
00:48:20,000 --> 00:48:26,920
a conciliatory tone, you mustn't mind, my dear fellow. Only

632
00:48:26,960 --> 00:48:31,079
two people besides yourself will ever have even a suspicion

633
00:48:31,760 --> 00:48:36,199
of how it has all come about. I shan't tell,

634
00:48:37,199 --> 00:48:42,440
and you may be sure she won't. You forget the

635
00:48:42,519 --> 00:48:49,719
graybearded man, I groaned despondently. True, yes, I forgot him,

636
00:48:50,159 --> 00:48:54,639
said mister Boot, smiling, But I'll answer for his discretion

637
00:48:55,000 --> 00:49:00,920
as I would for my own. I wouldn't have it

638
00:49:00,960 --> 00:49:04,880
happen for a thousand pounds, I exclaimed in deep dejection.

639
00:49:05,400 --> 00:49:08,920
After we had traveled for twenty miles in complete silence,

640
00:49:11,280 --> 00:49:13,440
mister Booth looked at me for a few moments with

641
00:49:13,480 --> 00:49:17,760
a friendly concern. Then he leant forward and touched me

642
00:49:18,000 --> 00:49:24,519
lightly on the arm. My dear fellow, since it has happened,

643
00:49:25,320 --> 00:49:27,639
I can offer you with half the sum you mention

644
00:49:27,880 --> 00:49:34,599
as compensation. What do you mean The owner of the

645
00:49:34,639 --> 00:49:37,840
property in this box will no doubt be glad to

646
00:49:37,840 --> 00:49:41,880
pay me five hundred pounds as a reward. I am

647
00:49:41,880 --> 00:49:46,320
sufficiently repaid by the satisfaction of having accomplished a very

648
00:49:46,360 --> 00:49:51,199
neat job entirely off my own bat. As a matter

649
00:49:51,239 --> 00:49:57,360
of fact, I owe my success entirely to you. Thanks. No,

650
00:49:58,159 --> 00:50:02,920
I am no detective, I interrupted, more rudely. I dare

651
00:50:02,960 --> 00:50:07,199
say than I was conscious of. At least, let me

652
00:50:07,280 --> 00:50:10,159
offer you a little memento to hang on your watch chain,

653
00:50:10,599 --> 00:50:14,320
he said, wincing at the rebuff, but not the least

654
00:50:14,400 --> 00:50:18,960
resenting it. He produced, as he spoke, from his pocket

655
00:50:19,719 --> 00:50:24,880
a sixpenny piece and handed it to me. What is this,

656
00:50:25,239 --> 00:50:30,599
I asked, the identical coin which the fair widow bestowed

657
00:50:30,679 --> 00:50:37,000
upon the gray bearded man. He replied, How did you

658
00:50:37,079 --> 00:50:42,039
come by it? Then, I asked, But mister Booth only smiled,

659
00:50:43,159 --> 00:50:46,599
and I then recollected how he had boasted that he

660
00:50:46,679 --> 00:50:51,760
had managed his part of the business single handed. I

661
00:50:51,800 --> 00:50:55,760
have only to add that though my friend always declared

662
00:50:56,320 --> 00:50:59,320
that the widow did not entertain the least suspicion of

663
00:50:59,360 --> 00:51:04,840
his identity, she never came to Elbira House again, nor

664
00:51:04,880 --> 00:51:08,119
even wrote a line of remonstrance or inquiry to me.

665
00:51:09,480 --> 00:51:13,480
And as I have heard nothing whatever from that day

666
00:51:13,599 --> 00:51:18,320
to this, I conclude she made no complaint but accepted

667
00:51:18,360 --> 00:51:24,320
philosophically her bitter disappointment, probably considering herself lucky to have

668
00:51:24,519 --> 00:51:31,639
escaped worse consequences. The End of the Tin Box by

669
00:51:31,679 --> 00:51:32,599
Herbert Keane