Hughie, Joan said, was nearing the last dot.

He was discouraged and Hannah was cross.

Kenny toyed absently with the food upon his plate.
"Mavourneen," he said, "I'm wondering." "Wondering what, Kenny ?" "If perhaps the chart isn't purposely misleading--" "Like Uncle's hints to you ?" "Yes." "I hadn't thought of it." "Every clue we have found has sent us out of doors." "Would he, I wonder, Kenny, hide the money in the house ?" "I'm wondering too." "The sitting room!" "There," admitted Kenny, "he was often alone." "Kenny, shall we look to-night ?" Kenny had his moment of doubt.
"We'll ask Hughie," he said.
And so with Hannah scoffing but noticeably on ahead with the lamp, they climbed the stairs and tore the room to pieces--to no avail.

In a final burst of inspiration Hughie dragged the faded carpet from its tacks and filled the room with dust.

Sneezing and coughing, they faced each other in the melee with looks of blank discouragement.