Chapter 5

CHAPTER 5
In which court is at hand

Bang! “Order, please, gentlemen. Order in the court! Now. Would someone please inform me what this is all about?” Trip stood up instantly, with a flash in his eye.
“Your Honor, the Smith fortune rightfully belongs to me. My uncle is Charles Smith. I am his only living descendant!”
“Fine. I see your point. Would Terrance Williams please stand?” Terry slowly rose. He remained firm and calm.
“I was at Master Charles side, sir, whens he died. He was mine master. He talks ta me, and he han’ed me ‘dis, yo’ Honor.” Terry walked up to the front desk. The judge looked more interested than ever. Terry handed, with a strong hand, the same crinkled paper that he had showed James about a month ago. The judge gently took it. James could sense, gratefully, that the judge was on his friend’s side.
Please return tomorrow morning for the rest of this court session.
* * *
Terry woke up in better spirits than he had for the whole week. He dressed quickly, and they were in the courthouse in no time.
“Have decided who shall inherit the Smith fortune. Please, all sit down. My answer is -”
“Wait, your Honor, may I see the paper, with evidence?” Trip said, almost hopelessly. The paper was handed to him. Suddenly, Trip burst out of his chair.
“Your Honor! How do we know that this paper is written by Charles Smith! We have no real evidence!”
“But, we do sir. That is why I dismissed early. I have sent officers to search his home for another of his signatures, for, if you look closely at the bottom, there is a signature. We have found a letter, more than one actually, and all the signatures are almost exactly alike. Trip Wallace, I have already made my decision.” He paused.
“The Smith Fortune belongs to James Truman, since Francis Truman has died of Scarlett Fever." Then he said softly,
"Congratulations, James.” He said with a slight twinkle in his eye. Trip stormed out of the room, his teeth gritted and his face red.