"I thought you did not like noise, uncle," said Theodore calmly, and allowed himself to drop into a saddle-back chair.
"No more I do. All the same, I don't care about being surprised in this way. You should have knocked at the door, or have rattled the handle, or----"
"I did knock, I did rattle the handle," said Dane carelessly, and thrust one white hand through his leonine masses of reddish hair; "but you were so interested in your conversation with Miss Carrol that you did not hear me."
"And you listened?" continued the Squire irritably.
"I ask pardon for doing so. But the conversation was about the Mikado Jewel, which always fascinates me, and I could scarcely help overhearing a few words. But if the conversation is private----" He heaved up his big frame as if to go away.
"It's not private," snapped Colpster, sitting down at his desk; "only your unexpected appearance startled me. I would have reported the conversation to you later, as I know that you are as anxious as I am to recover the palladium of the family."
"I should certainly like to recover it personally," said Theodore with point, "as I know the succession to the estate depends upon its being given to you. If I get it, I inherit; if Basil is the lucky finder, he obtains all the property. You know what you arranged."
"Yes, and I hold to that arrangement. But as neither Basil nor you have secured the Mikado Jewel----"
"Neither one of us inherits?" finished Dane quietly.
"The one who marries Mara gets it," said Colpster decisively. "She is my only daughter and must benefit under my will. Marry her, Theodore, and be my heir. Mara is a nice girl; you can't object."