It put a singular power into his possession, which might possibly hereafter lead to something more significant than the mystification of the Widow Hopkins.
A short time before Myrtle Hazard's disappearance, Mr.Byles Gridley had occasion to call again at the office of Penhallow and Bradshaw on some small matter of business of his own.

There were papers to look over, and he put on his great round-glassed spectacles.

He and Mr.Penhallow sat down at the table, and Mr.Bradshaw was at a desk behind them.

After sitting for a while, Mr.Penhallow seemed to remember something he had meant to attend to, for he said all at once: "Excuse me, Mr.Gridley.
Mr.Bradshaw, if you are not busy, I wish you would look over this bundle of papers.

They look like old receipted bills and memoranda of no particular use; but they came from the garret of the Withers place, and might possibly have something that would be of value.