Müller’s Mystery

Müller’s Mystery

Part III

The wind was howling through the trees as Jack and Lindsey walked through the dark forest.

“Do you even know where you’re going?” Lindsey asked.

“Of course I do. Remember the Old Lady who lives in the small hut at the end of our property? Well, she is the oldest person around here, I bet we can get out information out of her.”

“But how do you even know her?” Lindsey asked.

“Well, when our parents died there was a lot of time to explore around here. You were just a baby. I guess I was lonely. Anyway, I once found her hut and she became my friend. I call her Aunt Sally.”

“How come you never visit her any more?”

“Well, one day Uncle Theodore caught me walking towards her house, and he forbid me to go there again.”

“Sneaky.” Lindsey whispered.

“Yeah, that’s why I think Aunt Sally might now something about this will business.”

After a long and silent trek through the thick shrubbery and noisy leaves, Jack and Lindsey finally arrived on top of a hill where they could make out the faint outline of a small hut in a valley below. The sweet smell of chimney smoke arose as they neared the place. The hut had a wooden roof and flower boxes at the windows. It was just like a fairy house where a kind Grandma lived.

As the kids approached the door swung open and a small plump lady with a clean blue dress came running out and hugged Jack. Lindsey just stared at her with wide eyes. She was the nicest old lady she had ever seen.

“Well my child,” she exclaimed, “what brings you young’uns o’er dis way?”

“We need your help Aunt Sally.”

“Why, dat Uncle o’ your’n causin’ more trubl?” She asked.

“Well sort of.” Jack said. “Oh, this is Lindsey.” He said turning to his sister.

Aunt Sally gave her an equally big hug.

“Lordy, how you’ve grown child!” She exclaimed. “I remember when you was a wee one. Crawlin’ all o’er de place.” She said as she stared at Lindsey in wonder. Then with a shake of the head she said, “Where are my manners? Do come in and grab yourselves a cookie or three. They’re fresh as apples.”

They all went inside and sat by a warm fireplace as Aunt Sally fetched them a glass of milk and a plate full of cookies. After eating till they where stuffed, Jack looked at Aunt Sally.

“Well, what be dis business you come fur?” Aunt Sally asked reading his thoughts.

“Well, it’s about Great Grandpa Müller’s will.” Jack began. “Since you used to know him, we thought we might get answers from you.”

“You thought right my child, but I ain’t gonna meddle in nobody’s business without proper purmission.” She said.

“It’s important Aunt Sally. If we don’t find out the truth before next week, well, everything will go to Uncle Theodore.”

“Lawsy!” Aunt Sally exclaimed with a start. “You mean they’ve found the will at last?”

Jack nodded.

“Well, mighty purty hullabaloo this’ll make.”

“It already has.” Lindsey said for the first time, “Grandpa is outraged!”

“He might as well be. He wanted all to go to your daddy ‘fore he died.”

“Please Aunt Sally, will you tell us the story?” Jack pleaded.

“What story, child?” Aunt Sally asked trying to evade the question.

“You know what I mean Aunt Sally. And both Lin and I know this will is a fraud.”

“Oh well, if I must I must. I reckon time has come.” She gave a sigh. “Your great grandpa was a great friend o’ mine. He was least fifteen years older dan me, but he loved meeting people. You can say that from the furst we were great pals. He was like me big brother. Anyway, I remember him talking ‘bout how he didn’t want your grandpa to get everything at de end. He knew your grandpa was wealthy ‘nough with all your grandma’s money after she died. So he thought ‘bout your daddy. He had a special likin’ to him, and his days where drawin’ to a close. So at de end, he confided in em an said, ‘Sal, my days are drawing to an end and my son is well provided for. He is also getting on in years, and I would like all my money to go to someone worthy.’ So den he decided to give all to your daddy. The will was finished de day just ‘fore your parents had de accident.

“Your great grandpa knew dat if he didn’t do something, t’would all go to Theodore. Now, Theodore was already a scoundrel by den and your great grandpa, he was sorry to see his ways. So he says, ‘Sal, don’t go on telling everybody. This has to be a secret to keep the child safe. But I’m giving every penny to Jack when he is old enough. I’ll be gone by then, buy the child and the property will be safe from Theodore.’” Aunt Sally stopped and looked at Jack’s pale face. “Well,” she continued, “‘bout dat time your uncle was twenty, and you was just six. Li’l Lin here was bout two. Dat was why your great grandpa didn’t want nobody but me to know. He wanted you young’uns to be safe from your Uncle. So dat be de truth ‘bout dat will. Your great grandpa died a week afterward.” Aunt Sally finished her story and the room stood in silence.

“But then what about the will they found? And if what Lin says is right, about someone swapping the will, then there must be a third will, the real one.” Jack said.

“Aye, me child.” Aunt Sally said.

“So then if Uncle Theodore found he was disinherited, he had a fake will made. The will they found was the will that gave everything to my dad. And the real will that is missing is the one that gave everything to me!” Jack said as revelation poured all over him. His face was pale as he realized that all would one day be given to him, and that Uncle Theodore might want his neck if he found out.

“But then we have to find the real will before next week!” Lindsey exclaimed in dismay. “And we will have to give it to the judge when they read it aloud. That way they will have to take Uncle Theodore away for what he did. And that way Jack’ll be safe.” She said in one breath.

They looked at her in surprise. “When did you learn so much?” Jack questioned.

“You can learn a lot if you can read.” She said.

“Now we just have to find the real will.” Jack said. “Only it will take ages. The house is huge. And we only have a few days.”

Aunt Sally sighed as she rose from her chair. She quietly walked across the room to a shelf against the wall. She slowly opened it as the children watched her. Slowly she reached for a dusty old book. Carefully she brought it down and turned the pages until she reached a place marked with a yellow envelope. She returned and handed the envelope to Jack.

“Here you go Master Jackson. One day you’ll have what is rightfully yours.” She said solemnly.

Jack slowly opened the envelope, and behold, he found the true will. 

***

It was raining the day the judge arrived. Everyone had gathered for the final reading of the will. Uncle Theodore had a smug look on his face. Grandfather was pale and worried. The children just sat in a corner looking at the proceeding.

The judge began reading the will. The legal talk was tiresome. Grandfather couldn’t stop fidgeting. Finally the moment came, but before the judge pronounced a name, before the signing began, the door swung open. All heads turned. At the door was an old lady dressed in blue accompanied by an elderly and elegantly dressed man.

“What does this mean?” Uncle Theodore shouted.

Everyone started as Aunt Sally quietly made her way to the center of the room and placed the real will on the table. The old man accompanying her spoke.

“My name is William Greenwik, former lawyer of Great Mr. Müller.” Uncle Theodore turned pale. “I present to you the last and final testament of the deceased, Great Mr. Müller.”

“Good heavens!” Grandfather said. “What is the meaning if this? What have you to do with anything Aunt Sally?”

Aunt Sally quietly related her story as Uncle Theodore fidgeted with his tie. Both lawyers looked at each other as the story was told.

“But why then,” the younger lawyer asked, “are there three wills?”

“One,” Mr. Greenwik said, “was the first will, giving it all to Eric, the youngest son. The second, is the fake will, made by this man present.” He said turning to Uncle Theodore who was very red by now. “And third, the final will, which I made, and was entrusted to this woman for the protection of these children.”

They all stood in silence. Finally the younger lawyer spoke.

“Mr. Müller, having heard this evidence, the final and sole heir to Müller Manor and all that comes with it is Jackson Müller, son to Eric Müller, grandson to Mr. Müller, great grandson to Great Mr. Müller.”

“And this man,” Mr. Greenwik said turning to Theodore, “will have the decency to accompany me.”

Days passed in a flutter and confusion mingled with joy as the matter was legally arranged. Mr. Müller was given sole guardianship of Master Jackson until he came of age. And Aunt Sally was welcomed as one of the household.

Years passed and Mr. Müller died, but Müller Manor stood erect and safe. Guarded and protected by a noble soul.