‘Exactly. There are fortunately no relatives of the deceased here, so that we can discuss this matter calmly, without yielding to that very natural emotion which in cases of this sort, ahem—is, ahem—is, ahem——’
‘Usual,’ suggested Grigg.
‘Exactly, which is usual. The will, as you are aware, was left in our possession when the, I fear I must say deceased, gentleman set out to travel abroad for the—ahem—for the——’
‘Benefit of his health,’ said Grigg.
‘Exactly, the benefit of his health. Alas! his health was not benefited, for I fear that he is now—that he is now——’
‘Bottom of the deep blue sea,’ suggested Grigg.
‘Exactly. As Mr. Grigg poetically puts it, at the bottom of the deep blue sea. Of course, in cases of this sort there is always a difficulty to prove death. There is always a doubt.’
‘Beggin’ your pardon, cap’en,’ interrupted the seafaring man, ‘but I’m qualified to speak to that there point. There ain’t any doubt about it at all. Them as goes to the bottom of the sea where the Boney’s Paw went down is gone to Davy Jones right enough.’
‘Exactly. Mr.—Mr. Symonds, thank you. But that is not the point. You see—excuse the little humour—we can’t call Mr. Jones as a witness. Ha, ha!’
‘Ha, ha!’ groaned Grigg. Grigg’s laugh was exactly the same as his groan.