The Mystery of 31 New Inn by R. Austin (Richard Austin) Freeman
page 88 of 295 (29%)
page 88 of 295 (29%)
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Blackmore, was named as the executor and residuary legatee."
"I see," said Thorndyke. "So that your client's interest in the will would appear to be practically unaffected by the change." "Yes. There it is," exclaimed the lawyer, slapping the table to add emphasis to his words. "That is the pity of it! If people who have no knowledge of law would only refrain from tinkering at their wills, what a world of trouble would be saved!" "Oh, come!" said Thorndyke. "It is not for a lawyer to say that." "No, I suppose not," Marchmont agreed. "Only, you see, we like the muddle to be made by the other side. But, in this case, the muddle is on our side. The change, as you say, seems to leave our friend Stephen's interests unaffected. That is, of course, what poor Jeffrey Blackmore thought. But he was mistaken. The effect of the change is absolutely disastrous." "Indeed!" "Yes. As I have said, no alteration in the testator's circumstances had taken place at the time the new will was executed. But only two days before his death, his sister, Mrs. Edmund Wilson, died; and on her will being proved it appeared that she had bequeathed to him her entire personalty, estimated at about thirty thousand pounds." "Heigho!" exclaimed Thorndyke. "What an unfortunate affair!" "You are right," said Mr. Marchmont; "it was a disaster. By the original |
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