"You need not read aloud any more, but if you see any books in my
library which you would like to read to yourself you may do so. In fact,
Frank, you must consider yourself one of the family, and act as freely
as if you were at home."

"How kind you are to me, Mr. Wharton," said Frank.

The next morning after Frank had left the house for his daily task, John
Wade entered the housekeeper's room.

"The boy is out of the way now, Mrs. Bradley," he said. "You had better
see if you have a key that will unlock his trunk."

The two conspirators went upstairs, and together entered Frank's room.

Mrs. Bradley brought out a large bunch of keys, and successively tried
them, but one after another failed to open it.

"That's awkward," said John Wade. "I have a few keys in my pocket. One
may possibly answer."

The housekeeper kneeled down, and made a trial of John Wade's keys. The
last one was successful. The cover was lifted, and the contents were
disclosed. However, neither John nor Mrs. Bradley seemed particularly
interested in the articles for after turning them over they locked the
trunk once more.

"So far so good," said John Wade. "We have found the means of opening
the trunk when we please."