He went straight to his office and into his private room. With trembling fingers he made out the combination of the safe, and opened the heavy iron doors. There, where he had placed it the night before, lay the sealed envelope. Beads of perspiration stood out upon his forehead, and he was shaking like an aspen leaf. Surely, he thought, I must be ill or mad. He took the envelope and tore it open; his hands were trembling so that he found it difficult to unfold the document. There, at the bottom, in her clear handwriting, was the signature of
Violet Easton. There, also, were the signatures of the janitor and his wife. In feverish haste he read the will. It was just as he had written it the night before. It left all her money to her father with the exception of a few gifts.
Midnight had been left to him. He remembered protesting, but she had told him that she was sure he would always be kind to the animal.
He rang the bell, and John appeared.
"Did you show a lady in here last night just before you went home?"
"No, sir."
"Are you positive?"
"Yes, sir."
"Go and get the janitor, and tell him I wish to speak to him."
In a few minutes that dignitary put in an appearance.