the papers. I watched him."

"Where was it?" asked Mr. Darnley. "For I certainly have seen nothing of
them."

"In a small oaken box with brass clasps, which stood on a sideboard. I
remember it as though it were yesterday."

"I have seen no such box," said the rector. "Our wisest plan will be to
go at once to the house where his cousin, Mr. Grey, resides, and see if
the article is in his possession. I am quite sure, though, that he would
have mentioned it if he had seen it."

Without a minute's delay they drove at once to the house, and found Mr.
Grey at home. He was surprised when he heard the name and rank of his
visitor, and above all when he understood his errand.

"A small oaken box with brass clasps?" he said. "No; I have nothing of
the kind in my possession; but, if your lordship will wait, I will have
a search made at once."

Every drawer, desk, and recess were examined in vain. There was no trace
of either the box or the papers.

"I have an inventory of everything the doctor's house contained--it was
taken the day after his death," said Mr. Grey; "we can look through
that."

Item after item was most carefully perused. The list contained no
mention of a small oaken box. It was quite plain that box and papers had