A story no one will have to dig for ...
That was a close call.
Mary had almost caught him inside the house and THAT would have put the kibosh to the whole plan. He crouched behind the horse chestnut tree, struggling to catch his breath and summon the patience to see whether they were really going out. If they left, he could plant the letter. If he could get inside somehow.
He fell back on his behind. The Black Lung was getting worse. He didn't even have to break into a run to lose his breath anymore. Now even a little bit of a walk caused him to struggle for air.
He
didn't want to die with this business unfinished. Everyone else who
knew the truth was already planted.
This was a secret that was not going to the grave. He had waited too long for this victory.