Beside, I thought that if you did not like to get it done here, you might send the wax up to London and get the key made there." "This is becoming more and more serious, Mrs.Conway," Mr.Tallboys said gravely.

"Nothing very terrible could happen to you beyond being turned out of the house even were it discovered who you really are; but if you were found at night, and I suppose your intention is to work at night, in the library, with a false key in your possession, you might be arrested for an attempt at theft, and could only clear yourself by explaining before the magistrates who you were, and with what motive you were acting, which would give rise to much unpleasant talk, would render any pursuance of your plan impossible, and might not improbably induce these women to destroy the will, if they have not already done so." "I am quite convinced they have not done that, Mr.Tallboys.

The anxiety they have about any one entering the room, and the manner in which Miss Penfold pops in occasionally to see what I am doing, is quite proof in my mind that the will is still in existence; for if they had destroyed it, they would have no further anxiety on the subject.

No, I have thought it all over, and must run the risk.

There is no other way of making a complete search; and in one night there by myself I could do far more than in a twelvemonths' visits as at present.