# XIII: The Maker of Wills explained — The Melody of Death

> Chapter companion for The Melody of Death by Edgar Wallace.

## What happens

Jack Frankfort, a young solicitor, visits the irascible General Sir John Standerton to draft a new will. The General, known for frequently changing his mind and his solicitors, spends much of the meeting specifying people and institutions that should not benefit, including Dr. Sundle's Dogs' Home, hospitals, and charities. After a tense conversation about his nephew Gilbert Standerton, the General unexpectedly decides to leave the residue of his estate to Gilbert. Jack stays overnight and returns the next morning to find the General has not changed his mind, resulting in a short will bequeathing everything to Gilbert. The General then asks about Gilbert's wife and invites them to dinner, sending wires to both Edith and Gilbert.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Inheritance

The entire chapter revolves around the drafting of a will and the struggle over who will inherit General Standerton's estate, with the final decision to leave everything to his nephew Gilbert.

### Wealth and Greed

The General's manipulative use of his wealth to control and punish others, and the careful maneuvering by Jack Frankfort to secure the inheritance, highlight themes of greed and the power of money.

## Character check-ins

### Jack Frankfort

A rising young solicitor tasked with drafting General Standerton's will; he navigates the General's temper and successfully secures the inheritance for Gilbert.

### Sir John Standerton

The irascible General who makes a new will, initially excluding many beneficiaries but ultimately leaving everything to his nephew Gilbert.

### Leslie Frankfort

Jack's brother, who asks Jack to put in a good word for Gilbert during the will-making.

### Gilbert Standerton

The General's nephew and the eventual heir; discussed during the will drafting, though he is absent from the chapter.

### Edith Standerton

Gilbert's wife, who receives a wire from the General inviting her to dinner; she is tearful and worried about Gilbert's absence.

## Key lines

> Not a penny of my money goes to Dr. Sundle's Dogs' Home. The man has been insolent to me, and I hate dogs, anyhow.

The General insists that none of his money should go to the Dogs' Home because he dislikes the doctor and dogs.

_Illustrates the General's petty and vengeful nature in his will-making._

> The residue of my property I leave to Gilbert Standerton. Make a note of that.

The General decides to leave the remainder of his estate to his nephew Gilbert.

_Key moment where the inheritance is finally settled, though the General's history suggests it may change._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters/xiii-the-maker-of-wills
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_melody_of_death_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_melody_of_death_se/chapters