"One is empty," remarked Mi. Sutherland. "If the other is found to be in the same condition, then her money has been taken. That key she holds should open both these drawers."
"Then let it be made use of at once. It is important that we should know whether theft has been committed here as well as murder." And drawing the key out, he handed it to Mr. Fenton.
The constable immediately unlocked the drawer and brought it and its contents to the table.
"No money here," said he.
"But papers as good as money," announced the doctor. "See! here are deeds and more than one valuable bond. I judge she was a richer woman than any of us knew."
Mr. Sutherland, meantime, was looking with an air of disappointment into the now empty drawer.
"Just as I feared," said he. "She has been robbed of her ready money. It was doubtless in the other drawer."
"How came she by the key, then?"
"That is one of the mysteries of the affair; this murder is by no means a simple one. I begin to think we shall find it full of mysteries."
"Batsy's death, for instance?"