And beneath it was a date, 27-8-1904.
There was a dead silence amongst the four of us--my mother had been with us all the time--as Mr.Lindsey unfolded the paper--a thick, half-sheet of foolscap, and read what was written on it.
"This is the last will and testament of me, James Gilverthwaite, a British subject, born at Liverpool, and formerly of Garston, in Lancashire, England, now residing temporarily at Colon, in the Republic of Panama.

I devise and bequeath all my estate and effects, real and personal, which I may be possessed of or entitled to, unto my sister, Sarah Ellen Hanson, the wife of Matthew Hanson, of 37 Preston Street, Garston, Lancashire, England, absolutely, and failing her to any children she may have had by her marriage with Matthew Hanson, in equal shares.
And I appoint the said Sarah Ellen Hanson, or in the case of her death, her eldest child, the executor of this my will; and I revoke all former wills.

Dated this twenty-seventh day of August, 1904.

_James Gilverthwaite_.

Signed by the testator in the presence of us--" Mr.Lindsey suddenly broke off.