THE next morning dawned bright and beautiful, and even Preece's Place looked cheerful in the January sunshine, that was trying in vain to find its way into Jasper's old shed; for the doors were closely shut, so that only one tiny ray could penetrate through a crack.
Rob, who paid an early visit to his old friend, that he might take him to see the new quarters, was astonished to find the place still closed, and after repeated knockings (all of which were in vain) he turned away, thinking that Jasper must have gone by himself to see the shed in John Street, and would soon be back.
But two hours later Forbes, coming up to bring a receipt for the money entrusted to him, found the doors still shut, and seeing that they were fastened from the inside, he began to feel uneasy; so at last, after knocking and calling in vain, he forced the door, and then going in, he found the old man sitting indeed in his chair, his Bible open on his knees at Rev. xxii, his eyes fixed upon the Christmas text—but the spirit had fled! Whilst he sat reading about heaven, messengers from heaven had come at the bidding of the King, and away from the dreary, dismal shed had they borne him to the land that knows no change, no night, no sorrow; and as the constable stood gazing at the lifeless form, the soul of Jonas Jasper was in the presence of Jesus Himself, and his eyes were seeing "the King in His beauty."
Laying his hand on the pulse that had ceased to beat, Forbes stood for a moment awestruck, and then, though in no doubt as to what happened, he ran quickly for a doctor, and finding one just outside, he brought him in. But one glance at the rigid features was enough, and in few words the surgeon confirmed Forbes' opinion.
"Of course this must be inquired into," he said; "but there is every appearance of a most quiet, peaceful, sudden death—old age its probable cause. I will attend and do all that is necessary when required;" and away he walked, leaving Forbes alone in the presence of the dead.
Lifting his eyes for a moment, they fell on Rob's text, "He careth for you," which only two days before he had repeated to the old man. "And it's true," he said softly. "The Lord knew he couldn't stand the upset of a move, and He cared so much for him that He's taken him right away out of it all, to rest for ever with Himself."
No sooner had Forbes lodged the necessary information at the Police Station, than the news of Jasper's sudden death soon spread through Preece's Place and its neighbourhood. On inquiry it was found that no one had entered the shed after Mrs. Mellor and Rob left on the previous evening; and so Jasper's last words on earth had been of Jesus, as he pointed a weary sinner to the Saviour whom he had found.
It was no easy matter to break the news to Rob; but it fell to Forbes to do it, as he met the child just outside the shed, coming home from school, to go in and see his old friend.
"You can't go in, Rob; Jasper isn't there."
"Hasn't he come back yet, Mr. Forbes?"