These were handsomely carved, and dark with age.

One of the Penfolds had evidently been a bookworm, and had spared no pains and expense in carrying out his hobby.

The housemaid had said that all the books had been removed, and that nothing had been found behind them.

Still there might well be some spring that had escaped their notice.

At any rate the ground must be gone over again.
Then the spring might lie among the carved work of the bookcases themselves.