Page:The Makropoulos Secret (1925).pdf/39

THE MAKROPOULOS SECRET the life of the high-born city councilor nobleman: Prus, Joseph Ferdinand von Semonitz.” Will: the record at death-bed which was signed by a priest, a doctor and a notary. Here—“The dying—in high fever—asked by the undersigned if he had some last wish, declared several times that the property of Loukov should go to Mr. Mach Gregor.” To Mr. Mach, comma, Gregor. [He puts back the papers]—To some Mr. Mach, Madam —to some Gregor Mach—to a person then unknown and undiscoverable.

[He remains seated on the ladder]

That is a mistake. Pepi certainly meant Gregor, Ferdi Gregor.

Apparently. But what is written is written. At that time the above-named Gregor protested that the word “Mach” appeared in the oral will only by some mistake of hearing or slip of the pen; that “Gregor” should have been the last name, not the first name, and so on; but litera scripta valet. And Emmerich Prus kept Loukov and the whole inheritance.

And Gregor?

Gregor got nothing.