Read Online The Judas Kiss by Herbert Adams - Free Book Online

started a new and happy life. He expressed his deep sympathy with his widow and his family.
    After the interment the little party walked slowly back to their home, Adelaide leaning on the arm of Garnet, the older son. Ruth and Roger Bennion were among those in the church, but neither they nor older friends intruded on the sorrowing group who were accompanied by one man only, a Mr. Watson, who, as Mr. Michelmore's solicitor, had been present at the inquest.
    Nan had attended the service, but she hurried back to see that Mrs. Hopkins had prepared lunch in accordance with her instructions. It was for the most part a silent meal, Adelaide remaining in her room.
    When it was over, Mr. Watson said he had brought Mr. Michelmore's will with him; would they ask if Mrs. Michelmore felt able to come down while he read it or would she prefer it left until another day. Pearl went to make the enquiry and after a brief delay returned with the pale but outwardly composed young widow.
    They sat in the lounge and Mr. Watson, adjusting his horn-rimmed spectacles, took the document from his pocket. Lawyers as a class are thin men. It is sometimes held that mental activity wars against obesity. If that be so, Mr. Watson was an exception to the rule. He was decidedly corpulent and his smooth poker face gave no indication of his thoughts.
    "Mr. Michelmore's will," he began, "is in effect very simple. I think it would be best if I explained its general outline and I can have copies made and sent to each of you if you so wish."
    He paused. Silence appeared to give consent.
    "He sent me written instructions from Paris to prepare it, and he called and executed it at my office in London on his way here. I may perhaps say I disapprove of it in certain respects, but he insisted on my carrying out his instructions. He appoints his bank manager and myself his trustees and executors. He leaves all his real and personal estate to his wife, " Mr. Watson glanced at the deed to refresh his memory, "to his wife Adelaide Michelmore, formerly Adelaide Bidaut, nee Pelmore, for her life. On her death it is to be divided equally between his four children, Garnet, Emerald, Jasper and Pearl, or the survivors of them. Should however any of them have died and left issue such share or shares shall pass to their children."
    It was indeed simple, but some of them could hardly believe their ears. It was outrageous. They glared furiously at Adelaide, who sat with downcast eyes as though she was hardly listening. No one interrupted and the solicitor went on, "There are certain provisions affecting you all more immediately and these I had better read in detail.
    "I would wish my house, Sunbay, to be carried on as far as possible as it has been in the past, that is as a residence for my said children until they marry, free from all charge, and I give to each of them the contents of the rooms or flats they occupy if they are in residence at the time of my death. I have already made some provision for them but I authorise my Trustees to pay to each of them any further sum up to five thousand pounds as may be directed in writing by my wife, the said Adelaide Michelmore, should they marry, or should other circumstances arise that in her opinion justify it. Such sums to be deducted from their eventual shares in my estate."
    Mr. Watson raised his eyes from the document.
    "There are legacies of five hundred pounds to the housekeeper, Hannah Wood, and of one hundred pounds to the gardener, Saul Teague, but that is all. I shall be happy to answer any questions you may care to ask me and, as I said, if you wish it I will let you each have a copy that you may consider at your leisure."
    He stopped. There was silence for some moments. They all looked serious and the heightened colour in Emerald's cheeks told of suppressed anger. Jasper was the first to speak and his tone was normal, almost casual.
    "Can you give us any idea of the amount of the estate?"
    "That," Mr. Watson said, "is