Presently the three clerks appear, bringing in the doctor, Mrs. Turvey and Topsy, and Mr. Symonds, who, judging from his appearance, is a seafaring man.
Grigg and Limpet bow and motion the visitors to the seats. Grigg bows to the ladies, Limpet to the gentlemen.
‘Mr. Limpet,’ says Grigg, ‘explain matters.’
‘Ahem, ’says Limpet, ‘we have thought it better, Mr. Grigg and myself, to ask you to attend here to-day together in re Egerton. I should say in the matter of our client, Mr. Gurth Egerton—our late client, I fear I should say. Before taking any steps, we have thought—Mr. Grigg and myself have thought—that it would be better to hear the evidence in this matter, in order that we—in order that Mr. Grigg and myself might, if possible, arrive at some definite conclusion. Ahem, ahem.’
‘Will,’ said Grigg.
‘Exactly. Thank you. The will. The will of the—I fear I must say late?’
‘Say late,’ put in Grigg.
‘Exactly; we will say late, as Mr. Grigg suggests. It is better. It is a sad description, but I fear a truthful one.’
Mr. Limpet looked at Mr. Grigg to see if any emotion was advisable.
‘No relatives,’ muttered Grigg.