WEBVTT 1 00:00:00.280 --> 00:00:06.799 The tin box. If I were you, Perkins, said mister 2 00:00:06.839 --> 00:00:10.560 Booth one evening in the smoking room, I should take 3 00:00:10.599 --> 00:00:15.759 care what I was about with that little widow. You mean, 4 00:00:15.800 --> 00:00:22.600 Missus Williams, I inquired, Oh is that her name? Remarked 5 00:00:22.640 --> 00:00:29.199 my friend, carelessly refilling his pipe with deliberation. Why you 6 00:00:29.320 --> 00:00:35.039 know it is, I returned rather sharply. I have a 7 00:00:35.119 --> 00:00:38.679 bad memory for names, said mister Booth, with a slight shrug. 8 00:00:40.399 --> 00:00:45.880 You seem to be getting quite intimate. I am decently 9 00:00:45.960 --> 00:00:53.560 civil to her, I replied significantly, and I have avoided her. Yes, 10 00:00:53.759 --> 00:00:59.479 that's quite true, said mister Booth, smiling. Perhaps I instinctively 11 00:00:59.560 --> 00:01:05.920 share mister Weller Senior's antipathy to widows. Anyhow, I don't 12 00:01:06.000 --> 00:01:11.640 like the face of this one. I was astonished and 13 00:01:11.760 --> 00:01:16.239 rather disturbed at this. I had great confidence in my 14 00:01:16.359 --> 00:01:20.640 friend's judgment. But when I recalled to mind the refined 15 00:01:20.680 --> 00:01:26.560 and delicate features, the soft, trustful brown eyes, the gentle voice, 16 00:01:26.719 --> 00:01:29.680 and the timid, shrinking manner of the unfortunate lady he 17 00:01:29.760 --> 00:01:35.840 referred to, I was filled with indignation at his cynical attitude. 18 00:01:36.359 --> 00:01:40.280 Missus Williams had resided at Elvira House for about a 19 00:01:40.319 --> 00:01:44.640 week or ten days with her only child, a pretty 20 00:01:44.640 --> 00:01:48.560 little girl of five years old, and owing to the 21 00:01:48.640 --> 00:01:51.680 accident of being placed next to her at the dinner table, 22 00:01:52.599 --> 00:01:57.000 I had struck up an acquaintance with her, for she 23 00:01:57.159 --> 00:02:01.959 was neither remarkably good looking nor particular young, and my 24 00:02:02.079 --> 00:02:06.159 predilection was rather due to sympathy and good nature than 25 00:02:06.200 --> 00:02:12.199 to admiration for her personal charms. Besides, she was apparently 26 00:02:12.319 --> 00:02:16.360 the last person to quote attention for her. Whole thoughts 27 00:02:16.560 --> 00:02:23.319 seemed centered upon her child, whom she evidently adored. I 28 00:02:23.479 --> 00:02:26.280 fancy she maneuvered a little to get put next to 29 00:02:26.319 --> 00:02:29.560 you at the table, said mister Booth, watching me quietly. 30 00:02:31.639 --> 00:02:34.719 You wouldn't say that if you knew her better, I 31 00:02:34.879 --> 00:02:42.759 retorted hotly. You think it was an accident, Well, perhaps, 32 00:02:43.280 --> 00:02:49.159 said my companion in his enigmatical way. I'm sure of it, 33 00:02:49.919 --> 00:02:57.599 I said emphatically. Missus Nicks arranged it all right, old fellow. 34 00:02:58.240 --> 00:03:01.560 It is no concern of mine, said mister Booth, good humoredly. 35 00:03:02.840 --> 00:03:05.840 Only I shouldn't lend her any more money if I 36 00:03:05.879 --> 00:03:09.919 were you, How do you know I have done so? 37 00:03:10.560 --> 00:03:15.400 I inquired, brandoning. You asked me to change your check 38 00:03:15.479 --> 00:03:18.800 the other day. It is a mere guess. But putting 39 00:03:18.800 --> 00:03:23.560 two and two together, you happen to be ripe. For once, 40 00:03:24.120 --> 00:03:28.439 I interrupted with some vexation. I lent her ten pounds 41 00:03:28.479 --> 00:03:32.680 till her dividends fall due on Tuesday next. I suppose 42 00:03:32.759 --> 00:03:34.960 you are going to suggest that the money is lost. 43 00:03:37.719 --> 00:03:42.240 It depends upon her circumstances, he replied, nodding his head. 44 00:03:44.039 --> 00:03:48.879 Well do you know anything about her? Come Booth, out 45 00:03:48.919 --> 00:03:56.199 with it, I exclaimed, irritably. I how should, I said, 46 00:03:56.240 --> 00:04:00.680 he raising his eyebrows. I have that I seen her 47 00:04:00.719 --> 00:04:07.639 before in my life. She's the widow of mister John Williams, 48 00:04:07.800 --> 00:04:11.840 who died about two years ago. He lived at Gateshead 49 00:04:12.479 --> 00:04:17.120 and was a wholesale tobacconist. He left everything to her 50 00:04:17.160 --> 00:04:20.759 by his will. I explained, to show that I was 51 00:04:20.800 --> 00:04:25.879 not wholly ignorant of the lady's affairs. How do you know, 52 00:04:26.399 --> 00:04:31.279 inquired mister Booth. She showed me a probate, I replied, 53 00:04:32.279 --> 00:04:35.439 I didn't ask her, but when she requested me to 54 00:04:35.480 --> 00:04:41.000 accommodate her with that trifle of her money, she volunteered 55 00:04:41.040 --> 00:04:47.680 to explain how she was situated. I see, observed mister Booth, 56 00:04:47.959 --> 00:04:55.160 apparently impressed. Unfortunately, the poor lady was left very badly off. 57 00:04:55.680 --> 00:04:59.079 I went on, mollified by the change in my friend's manner, 58 00:04:59.600 --> 00:05:03.639 which was now more sympathetic, And that is what now 59 00:05:03.680 --> 00:05:07.399 brings her up to town. She has a fixed belief 60 00:05:07.639 --> 00:05:11.480 that her husband, who seems to have been somewhat eccentric 61 00:05:11.519 --> 00:05:16.040 in his later days, deposited some money or securities at 62 00:05:16.040 --> 00:05:21.680 some bank in London or elsewhere. Has she any clue, 63 00:05:22.120 --> 00:05:27.160 inquired mister Booth, manifestly interested, Not that I know of. 64 00:05:27.920 --> 00:05:32.879 She is very reticent, I replied. She hasn't asked for 65 00:05:32.920 --> 00:05:38.519 your assistance. Then said my friend, no, of course I 66 00:05:38.560 --> 00:05:41.360 should be pleased to help if I could, I said, 67 00:05:41.560 --> 00:05:46.079 with a touch of defiance in my tone. Mister Booth 68 00:05:46.120 --> 00:05:49.720 did not gainsay me this time. Either he was tired 69 00:05:49.759 --> 00:05:52.920 of the subject, or else he perceived that I rather 70 00:05:53.199 --> 00:05:59.079 resented his interference. At all events, he relapsed into one 71 00:05:59.120 --> 00:06:02.040 of his silent mood woods in which he was wont 72 00:06:02.160 --> 00:06:06.079 to indulge, and sat puffing at his pipe with his 73 00:06:06.160 --> 00:06:09.399 eyes fixed on the fire for the remainder of the evening, 74 00:06:10.480 --> 00:06:15.000 without joining in general conversation, which presently ensued as the 75 00:06:15.079 --> 00:06:21.240 other guests strolled in. I was annoyed with him, because 76 00:06:21.279 --> 00:06:24.879 I thought his opinion of poor little missus Williams was 77 00:06:25.000 --> 00:06:31.000 unreasonably prejudiced and very unjust. Nevertheless, his warning was not 78 00:06:31.079 --> 00:06:35.079 quite thrown away upon me, for I determined to observe 79 00:06:35.120 --> 00:06:40.240 her with closer attention. The only result of this, however, 80 00:06:41.120 --> 00:06:44.079 was to convince me more firmly than ever of her 81 00:06:44.199 --> 00:06:48.680 absolute good faith. Though I confess that I began to 82 00:06:48.759 --> 00:06:53.720 realize that her refinement of speech and manner was partly assumed. 83 00:06:55.879 --> 00:07:01.079 In unguarded moments, she occasionally dropped an aspirate, and when 84 00:07:01.120 --> 00:07:04.000 she grew a little excited in speaking of her efforts 85 00:07:04.279 --> 00:07:08.360 to trace her husband's missing estate, she sometimes made use 86 00:07:08.399 --> 00:07:13.800 of expressions which were suggestive of a humble origin. But 87 00:07:13.920 --> 00:07:18.480 these slight solecisms were hardly perceptible, and of course a 88 00:07:18.600 --> 00:07:24.000 defective education is at most a misfortune for the rest. 89 00:07:24.399 --> 00:07:28.680 She continued to interest me greatly, and when punctually on 90 00:07:28.759 --> 00:07:32.160 the appointed day she repaid me the ten pounds with 91 00:07:32.319 --> 00:07:37.240 many fervent expressions of gratitude. I could not forbear exulting 92 00:07:37.279 --> 00:07:42.879 over my friend. That is all right, he said laughingly 93 00:07:42.959 --> 00:07:46.079 on hearing the news. But looked a little shamefaced, as 94 00:07:46.079 --> 00:07:49.319 I thought, you needn't tell her. I gave you a 95 00:07:49.399 --> 00:07:56.800 friendly warning. Of course not, I replied indignantly. Any news 96 00:07:56.839 --> 00:08:03.040 about her husband's property, he asked carelessly. None. She has 97 00:08:03.120 --> 00:08:06.560 looked up all his London friends and done everything she can, 98 00:08:06.759 --> 00:08:14.319 I answered. Why doesn't she advertise in the newspapers. She 99 00:08:14.399 --> 00:08:16.519 did so more than a year ago, in the Times 100 00:08:16.680 --> 00:08:25.319 and other journals. Have you anything to suggest, I inquired anxiously. No, don't, 101 00:08:25.360 --> 00:08:28.959 for goodness sake, my dear fellow ask me to mix 102 00:08:29.040 --> 00:08:32.600 myself up in the lady's affairs, he said, with more 103 00:08:32.720 --> 00:08:37.000 temper than he usually displayed. I would rather you didn't 104 00:08:37.039 --> 00:08:42.399 even tell her. You have consulted me about them. I 105 00:08:42.559 --> 00:08:46.320 promised this more readily because I suddenly remembered having once 106 00:08:46.440 --> 00:08:50.360 suggested to Missus Williams that she should ask the advice 107 00:08:50.480 --> 00:08:53.360 of a friend of mine, having mister Booth in my 108 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:57.639 mind in her difficulty, and had been met by a 109 00:08:57.720 --> 00:09:03.960 decided and emphatic refusal. The incident had made no impression 110 00:09:04.039 --> 00:09:07.519 on me at the time, by the idea now occurred 111 00:09:07.559 --> 00:09:11.440 to me that perhaps Missus Williams had guessed whom I 112 00:09:11.519 --> 00:09:15.519 referred to and had been moved by resentment at the 113 00:09:15.559 --> 00:09:22.120 marked coldness which mister Booth always displayed towards her. I 114 00:09:22.200 --> 00:09:26.080 had assured him quite truthfully that missus Williams had never 115 00:09:26.159 --> 00:09:29.759 asked me to assist her in her search, nor had 116 00:09:29.759 --> 00:09:33.440 I foreseen that she would do so. But a few 117 00:09:33.480 --> 00:09:37.279 mornings afterwards, the youth who did the valeting of the 118 00:09:37.320 --> 00:09:40.960 male portion of the establishment, entered my room while I 119 00:09:41.039 --> 00:09:44.559 was shaving, with an urgent message from the lady that 120 00:09:44.679 --> 00:09:47.360 she was waiting for me in the drawing room and 121 00:09:47.440 --> 00:09:50.399 would be obliged if I would descend there as soon 122 00:09:50.440 --> 00:09:55.000 as possible. I found the little widow looking very pale 123 00:09:55.080 --> 00:09:58.639 and excited, with an open letter in her hand, which 124 00:09:58.639 --> 00:10:04.679 had arrived by the earth directly I appeared. She flourished 125 00:10:04.720 --> 00:10:11.240 triumphantly a slip of blue paper, exclaiming, eagerly see mister Perkins, 126 00:10:11.639 --> 00:10:15.720 what I have received this morning. My sister, who is 127 00:10:15.759 --> 00:10:19.200 taking charge of my house at Gateshead, founded between the 128 00:10:19.279 --> 00:10:23.320 leaves of a book, Boswell's Life of Johnson, which she 129 00:10:23.399 --> 00:10:26.000 took out quite by chance from the bookcase in the 130 00:10:26.080 --> 00:10:30.639 dining room. My poor husband was devoted to that work 131 00:10:31.320 --> 00:10:35.679 and was constantly reading it during his illness. I am 132 00:10:35.720 --> 00:10:39.120 not much of a reader myself, and if hadn't been 133 00:10:39.200 --> 00:10:45.559 for my sister, the paper might have remained undiscovered for years. 134 00:10:46.360 --> 00:10:50.720 While Missus Williams was thus breathlessly explaining, I glanced at 135 00:10:50.720 --> 00:10:54.360 the document, which was a form of receipt or acknowledgment 136 00:10:54.919 --> 00:10:59.440 from Messrs Drake Crump and Company, bankers of Fleet Street, 137 00:11:00.279 --> 00:11:03.200 for a tin box deposited with them by her husband 138 00:11:03.440 --> 00:11:09.120 for safe custody on a specified date. I congratulate you, 139 00:11:09.600 --> 00:11:13.399 I replied, thinking how attractive she looked in her excitement. 140 00:11:14.720 --> 00:11:20.480 It is indeed a fortunate discovery. I knew it. I 141 00:11:20.679 --> 00:11:23.759 was sure he had done something of the kind, exclaimed 142 00:11:23.759 --> 00:11:28.639 Missus Williams joyfully, but he was very secretive about his affairs. 143 00:11:28.720 --> 00:11:33.480 Lately it became quite a mania with him. I shouldn't 144 00:11:33.480 --> 00:11:38.440 be surprised to find the box contains property of great value. 145 00:11:39.399 --> 00:11:42.480 The receipt I see is dated about six months before 146 00:11:42.519 --> 00:11:48.240 your husband died. I observed, Yes, we were up in 147 00:11:48.320 --> 00:11:52.879 town then, staying in lodgings in Edward Square, Kensington, replied 148 00:11:52.919 --> 00:11:57.480 Missus Williams reflectively. I brought him to see a physician, 149 00:11:58.440 --> 00:12:00.960 though nobody suspected at the time. I am the serious 150 00:12:01.039 --> 00:12:06.279 nature of his symptoms. He used frequently to go out alone. 151 00:12:06.519 --> 00:12:09.600 And I suppose he got the box from his broker's 152 00:12:10.080 --> 00:12:15.960 or from some lawyer. Anyhow, he deposited it with Drake 153 00:12:16.039 --> 00:12:20.919 Crumpet Company. There is no doubt about that, I remarked, 154 00:12:21.120 --> 00:12:25.960 feeling quite carried away by the widow's satisfaction. I suppose 155 00:12:26.000 --> 00:12:30.840 you will call upon them and claim it at once. Yes, 156 00:12:31.120 --> 00:12:35.840 unless I really feel quite ashamed to ask such a 157 00:12:35.879 --> 00:12:39.559 favor of you, mister Perkins. But I was going to say, 158 00:12:40.480 --> 00:12:43.759 unless you would mind calling upon them in the first instance. 159 00:12:45.200 --> 00:12:48.200 The fact is my little girl is not very well 160 00:12:48.240 --> 00:12:53.679 to day, and besides, this delightful surprise has rather upset me. 161 00:12:54.799 --> 00:12:58.799 My head ached dreadfully, said Missus Williams, putting her white 162 00:12:58.799 --> 00:13:04.159 hand to her brow, but smiling bravely. Oh, I shall 163 00:13:04.200 --> 00:13:08.519 be very pleased, I answered readily. You had better give 164 00:13:08.559 --> 00:13:12.080 me the probate of your husband's bill. The banker will 165 00:13:12.120 --> 00:13:18.000 probably want to see that. Certainly, I'll go and fetch it. 166 00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:22.879 I am so very obliged to you, mister Perkins, said 167 00:13:22.879 --> 00:13:26.120 the widow, grasping my hand as she left the room. 168 00:13:28.559 --> 00:13:34.000 Our interview thus terminated. Missus Williams brought down the official parchment, 169 00:13:34.639 --> 00:13:38.159 and armed with this, I hastened after breakfast to call 170 00:13:38.279 --> 00:13:43.039 upon Messrs Drake Crump and Company, feeling quite interested and 171 00:13:43.159 --> 00:13:48.320 excited about the affair. I did not have an opportunity 172 00:13:48.360 --> 00:13:51.759 of telling mister Booth of my errand he was late 173 00:13:51.799 --> 00:13:55.759 for breakfast. I remember that I was impatient to be 174 00:13:55.840 --> 00:13:58.240 off so as to look in at the bank on 175 00:13:58.279 --> 00:14:03.639 my way to business. I merely mention this, because, as 176 00:14:03.639 --> 00:14:07.960 will appear later, he afterwards blamed me for not having 177 00:14:08.000 --> 00:14:14.440 confided in him at this juncture. The banking establishment of 178 00:14:14.559 --> 00:14:18.799 Messrs Drake, Crump and Company was a small private concern 179 00:14:19.080 --> 00:14:21.720 which has long since been absorbed by one of those 180 00:14:21.840 --> 00:14:27.600 big joint stock undertakings. In those days, its affairs were 181 00:14:27.639 --> 00:14:30.879 conducted in a dingy old house with barred windows, but 182 00:14:31.159 --> 00:14:35.120 half way down Fleet Street in a leisurely sleepy kind 183 00:14:35.120 --> 00:14:40.039 of way. The cashier's office was in the front room, 184 00:14:40.440 --> 00:14:44.879 the staff consisting of three or four elderly clerks, and 185 00:14:44.919 --> 00:14:48.480 on presenting my card, I was ushered into a gloomy 186 00:14:48.519 --> 00:14:52.519 little apartment at the back, where sat a quaint, white 187 00:14:52.559 --> 00:14:56.799 headed old gentleman in knee breeches who was evidently one 188 00:14:56.799 --> 00:15:03.639 of the partners. Dear me, this is very strange, he exclaimed. 189 00:15:04.039 --> 00:15:09.279 When I had explained my business, mister Williams is dead, 190 00:15:09.440 --> 00:15:17.519 is he well? Well, we were wondering. We haven't heard 191 00:15:17.559 --> 00:15:22.960 anything about him for a long time. He has been 192 00:15:23.000 --> 00:15:28.039 dead for more than two years, I replied, two years. Eh, 193 00:15:28.840 --> 00:15:32.879 let me see, he observed, as he rang a handbell 194 00:15:33.000 --> 00:15:39.240 upon the table. Mister Jameson, he added, as a clerk appeared. 195 00:15:40.559 --> 00:15:45.759 When did we last hear from John Williams. He has 196 00:15:45.799 --> 00:15:48.200 not drawn on his account for upwards of two years. 197 00:15:49.240 --> 00:15:54.039 His past book is here, answered the clerk. Oh, then 198 00:15:54.080 --> 00:15:58.480 he had a current account as well, I exclaimed, A 199 00:15:58.519 --> 00:16:03.159 small one, yes, replied the old gentleman. What is the balance, 200 00:16:03.200 --> 00:16:08.200 mister Jameson, About one hundred and thirty pounds, said the clerk. 201 00:16:10.440 --> 00:16:13.679 You see the past book being here and the receipt 202 00:16:13.720 --> 00:16:17.200 for the box, mislaid. His widow had no clue, I 203 00:16:17.279 --> 00:16:23.399 explained eagerly. Quite so, quite so, and this is the 204 00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:26.919 probate of his will, hey, said the old gentleman, taking 205 00:16:26.919 --> 00:16:31.559 it up and holding it close to his nose. I 206 00:16:31.679 --> 00:16:35.720 wonder you didn't see the advertisements in the papers, I remarked. 207 00:16:36.559 --> 00:16:40.360 His widow knew he had property somewhere, but and she 208 00:16:40.480 --> 00:16:48.200 advertised extraordinary that that should have escaped us. We always 209 00:16:48.240 --> 00:16:51.879 keep a lookout, said the old gentleman, glancing through the probate. 210 00:16:53.480 --> 00:16:59.039 When did the advertisements appear? I cannot tell you the date, 211 00:16:59.639 --> 00:17:05.160 Missus Williams will I answered, And you are a friend 212 00:17:05.240 --> 00:17:08.640 of the widow's, inquired the old gentleman, looking at me 213 00:17:08.720 --> 00:17:15.680 pretty keenly over his spectacles. Yes, Hm, the probate seems 214 00:17:15.720 --> 00:17:21.440 all right. She is the sole executrix, I see. Of course, 215 00:17:22.039 --> 00:17:24.599 if she wants to withdraw the money and take away 216 00:17:24.640 --> 00:17:29.759 the box, she must attend in person. You can identify her, 217 00:17:29.920 --> 00:17:36.680 I suppose, and verify her signature. Certainly, Hm, you are 218 00:17:36.680 --> 00:17:40.680 mister John Perkins of the Monarchy Insurance Office, he said, 219 00:17:40.720 --> 00:17:47.079 scrutinizing my card. Who is your present manager, mister Middleton? 220 00:17:48.839 --> 00:17:52.680 To be sure I have the pleasure of knowing him 221 00:17:52.720 --> 00:17:57.279 making my compliments, said the old man quaintly. I will 222 00:17:58.559 --> 00:18:01.559 I suppose Missus Williams can raw on the account and 223 00:18:01.720 --> 00:18:06.640 have access to the box when she chooses, I inquired, Hm, hmm, 224 00:18:07.920 --> 00:18:10.599 I see the testitur was described in his will as 225 00:18:10.640 --> 00:18:15.680 of Gateshead, said the old gentleman. Doubtfully, that isn't the 226 00:18:15.720 --> 00:18:20.880 address in our box. He lived there and his widow 227 00:18:21.000 --> 00:18:25.640 lives there still, I replied. Missus Williams tells me at 228 00:18:25.680 --> 00:18:28.960 the date of that deposit receipt they were residing in 229 00:18:29.119 --> 00:18:34.319 lodgings in Edward Square, Kensington. Quite right, that is the 230 00:18:34.319 --> 00:18:38.400 address be gave. Well, sir, he added, replying to my 231 00:18:38.480 --> 00:18:43.599 former question, as everything seems satisfactory, if you will leave 232 00:18:43.640 --> 00:18:47.200 the probate for registration and call here with the lady 233 00:18:47.279 --> 00:18:50.640 any time after twelve o'clock tomorrow, the box can be 234 00:18:50.680 --> 00:18:57.440 given up good morning. I was very pleased for Missus 235 00:18:57.480 --> 00:19:02.519 William's sake to find that everything straightforward, and the fact 236 00:19:02.599 --> 00:19:05.079 of there being a substantial sum of money to the 237 00:19:05.079 --> 00:19:09.279 dead man's credit, which the widow evidently knew nothing about, 238 00:19:10.200 --> 00:19:14.240 would I thought be some compensation in case the contents 239 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 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 00:21:05.240 --> 00:21:10.119 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 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 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 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 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 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