And his eyes, too, sought the verse carved on the over-mantel.
"Up there, too! It can mean only one thing."
"That the secret to the location of the treasure is in the Prior's Vent!" I added triumphantly.
"Or can be reached through the Prior's Vent," amended Nikka.
Hugh, who had been in a brown study, aroused himself, and peered at the mass of the fireplace.
"I'm not trying to belittle Jack's discovery," he said slowly, "but you chaps must remember that we don't know where or what the Prior's Vent is."
"Except that you may take it for certain it is in this room," replied Nikka.
"And that perhaps the fireplace has something to do with it," I suggested.
Hugh shook his head.
"No, no, Jack, that won't wash. You, yourself, have measured that chimney area, and we all agreed there wasn't space inside it for a secret chamber. If I thought there was, I'd tear it down.'