the possession of property which, in the sight of Heaven, belongs to
another."

"Sir, your sentiments do you honor. I accept of your suggestions,"
said Mr. Fielding, fixing a penetrating gaze on Walter Jerrold's
countenance. "Come, May, you go with us, and help us to search high
and low through the closet and bureau."

Father Fabian, who had come at the request of Mr. Fielding, had been a
silent, but not unconcerned witness of this strange and unexpected
scene, and looked for its issue with the deepest interest. Dr. Burrell
exploded every now and then in opinions, which contained more feeling
than legal reasoning, and consequently were of no importance. Helen's
presence restrained all conversation on the subject while the others
were absent from the room, and Father Fabian, having no time to drift
idly on a single moment of his life, took a seat in one of the deep
embrasures of the windows, and read portions of his "office" from the
well-worn Breviary, which he drew from his pocket.

But the search for the lost will was in vain. Assisted zealously by
Walter Jerrold and May, Mr. Fielding left no corner of the room
unexplored. The bed and mattress--the tester and curtains, were
turned, shaken, and unfolded. Every drawer and nook was inspected.
The shelves of the little closet were removed, and the panel at the
back and sides pried off, but in vain; and Mr. Fielding sat down quite
exhausted, and folding his hands, exclaimed, or rather growled, "I
congratulate you, May. It has all turned out precisely as your
humility hoped it would, no doubt."

"Sir," said May, gently, "I am no worse off now than I was yesterday.