“Lor’, sir, no—not a thing.”
“Make a thorough search; and especially make a careful examination of the plate chest; and then come and report to me.”
Frederica left the room to obey.
And then the group broke up.
Justin went to look to the iron chest where money and documents were kept.
Britomarte, with a face paler than usual, withdrew to examine the letter and parcel placed in her hands by the doctor.
Elfie went back to the chamber of Erminie.
Meanwhile a thorough search was made of the premises. Not an article was missing. No robbery had been perpetrated. No vestige of a robber was to be found. And the mystery thickened.
When Elfie came out of Erminie’s room, she found Justin on the watch for her.
“Come here, my dear girl,” he whispered, withdrawing her out of earshot of Erminie’s attendants. “I am inclined to be of your opinion in this matter. The result of our investigation is that no trace of a burglar can be found. Therefore I think your conjecture as to the presence of General Eastworth in the city, and his identity with the mysterious visitor of last night, may be founded in truth. His intimate knowledge of the interior arrangements of our house would certainly favor his visiting it in that secret manner.”