It certainly was but a shallow hole. The earth had simply been scraped away for a few inches, the document deposited and the loose mold heaped up in a kind of miniature mound. At least the two presumed so as Mrs. Beatson had swept aside a small quantity of earth when uncovering the parchment. There was nothing much to see, and after staring for a moment or so, Hendle turned away moodily. Scarcely had he done so when Carrington touched him on the shoulder, and drew his attention to a small object which glittered in the long grass near the edge of the hole.
"What's that?" he asked, pointing with his finger.
Rupert said nothing, but stooped and picked up the object. "Why," he said, in a tone of surprise, "it's the jewel which Mallien wears on his watch chain."
The barrister exclaimed also, as he stared at the gleam in Hendle's hand. It certainly was the opal in the matrix, to which Mallien had drawn his attention at their first meeting. Such a distinctive ornament was not easily forgotten. After a look and an exclamation he drew back and pondered.
"Surely Mallien never----"
"Nonsense! Nonsense!" interrupted the Squire sharply. "What can Mallien have to do with the matter?"
"That is what I am trying to think out," said Carrington dryly. "You must admit that it is strange."
"What is strange?" asked Rupert, determined not to commit himself.
"Finding this ornament here, near where the will was hidden. If we had found it on the high road now----"
"Yes! Yes! It is odd, I admit," interrupted the Squire again; "but that does not prove Mallien's implication in this sorry business."