"I'm looking for a seal."
"Stuffed?" asked William, with a sportsman's interest.
"No. A seal for stamping wax. It's a big one, made of silver, and about six inches across. Let's try these drawers in the desk."
There were six of them. Four were open, the other two locked. It took some time to open these. They were full of legal matter. Then they turned their attention to a set below some bookshelves. While the burglar was busy with the locks Hilton turned over the papers on the desk. The first was headed, "House of Lords: Gibbins v. Gibbins. Judgment of Lord Ravy." Another read, "Gibbins v. Gibbins. Judgment of Lord McTaughtun." Beside them was the half-written judgment of the Lord Chancellor himself.
Mr. Richard Hilton looked at these legal feats without interest. Mechanically he lifted the lid of the desk. A large leather case fitted exactly into the compartment below. He pulled it out. It was stamped with the royal arms.
"Here. Cut this, please."
The flap was cut, and Hilton drew out a richly embroidered and betasselled silk purse.
He looked eagerly inside.
"Hurrah!" he cried in his excitement. For it was the Great Seal of the United Kingdom.
The burglar examined it critically, and then felt its weight. "Five quid," he said, putting it down contemptuously.