Conscious that he had abundance of time for the work he had undertaken and that he was secure from interruption, he began a careful and methodical search through all the compartments.

Various private documents were examined and then replaced in exactly their original position, but all seemed of no avail.

He discovered no trace of that which he hoped to find.
At last he came to a metallic box, which he surmised, from its weight and general appearance, contained the old family jewels.
Should he open that?
A moment's thought decided the question; he would leave nothing unexplored.

Further search revealed the key concealed in a tiny drawer.

He applied it to the lock; the cover flew backward, and a dazzling light flashed into his face as a ray of sunlight fell across his shoulder upon the superb gems, gleaming and scintillating from the depths of their hiding-place.