But it might have remained undiscovered for weeks, or even months; and if it had, it would have been impossible to fix the date of his death.

Then Mrs.Wilson's next of kin would certainly have contested John Blackmore's claim--and probably with success--on the ground that Jeffrey died before Mrs.
Wilson.

But all this uncertainty is provided for by the circumstance that Mr.Jeffrey paid his rent personally--and prematurely--to the porter on the fourteenth of March, thus establishing beyond question the fact that he was alive on that date; and yet further, in case the porter's memory should be untrustworthy or his statement doubted, Jeffrey furnished a signed and dated document--the cheque--which could be produced in a court to furnish incontestable proof of survival.
"To sum up this part of the evidence.

Here was a will which enabled John Blackmore to inherit the fortune of a man who, almost certainly, had no intention of bequeathing it to him.

The wording of that will seemed to be adjusted to the peculiarities of Mrs.Wilson's disease; and the death of the testator occurred under a peculiar set of circumstances which seemed to be exactly adjusted to the wording of the will.