midday
There happened to be an old-fashioned oak table in his room , and drawing this to the window , he sat down to write the document which his solicitor and friend , Sir Francis Vesey , had so often urged him to prepare -- his Will . He knew what a number of legal technicalities might , or could be involved in this business , and was therefore careful to make it as short , clear , and concise as possible , leaving no chance anywhere open of doubt or discussion . And with a firm , unwavering pen , in his own particularly distinct and characteristic caligraphy , he disposed of everything of which he died possessed `` absolutely and without any conditions whatsoever '' to Mary Deane , spinster , at present residing in Weircombe , Somerset , adding the hope that she would , if she saw fit to do so , carry out certain requests of his , the testator 's , as conveyed privately to her in a letter accompanying the Will . All the morning long he sat thoughtfully considering and weighing each word he used -- till at last , when the document was finished to his satisfaction , he folded it up , and putting it in his pocket , started out to get his midday meal and find a lawyer 's office . He was somewhat surprised at his own alertness and vigour as he walked through the streets of Exeter on this quest ; -- excitement buoyed him up to such a degree that be was not conscious of the slightest fatigue or lassitude -- he felt almost young . He took his lunch at a small restaurant where he saw city clerks and others of that type going in , and afterwards , strolling up a dull little street which ended in a _ cul de sac _ , he spied a dingy archway , offering itself as an approach to a flight of equally dingy stairs . Here a brass plate , winking at the passer-by , stated that `` Rowden and Owlett , Solicitors , '' would be found on the first floor .