across the floor and opened it. A row of books met his eyes, but
on taking them down a couple of drawers were seen at the back.

"Are they locked?" asked Mr. Sutherland.

"One is and one is not."

"Open the one that is unlocked."

Mr. Fenton did so.

"It is empty," said he.

Mr. Sutherland cast a look toward the dead woman, and again the
perfect serenity of her countenance struck him.

"I do not know whether to regard her as the victim of her
husband's imbecility or of some vile robber's cupidity. Can you
find the key to the other drawer?"

"I will try."

"Suppose you begin, then, by looking on her person. It should be
in her pocket, if no marauder has been here."

"It is not in her pocket."

"Hanging to her neck, then, by a string?"

"No; there is a locket here, but no key. A very handsome locket,