“It is immaterial to me what you think, Mr. Wilkins,” replied the Colonel, with asperity.
“Mebbe so,” said the old man. “I calculate it won’t always be so. The time may come when you will care more for my opinion.”
“You flatter yourself unduly, Mr. Wilkins, I assure you.”
“Mebbe so,” answered the old man, not appearing at all discomposed by the rude tone of his niece’s husband.
“We will begin here, gentlemen,” said Mrs. Gilbert.
So saying, she went about from place to place down below, opening whatever drawers there were, even in the pantry, and revealing nothing that looked like the bonds.
“I didn’t expect they were downstairs,” said the Colonel.
“Then we will go upstairs. You shall not say that we have concealed anything or shrunk from any investigation.”
“Very well.”
Mrs. Gilbert thereupon led the way upstairs, and the search began. Finally, they came to her own bureau. The upper drawer was opened, and the sharp eyes of the Colonel detected a large envelope. It was the one that contained the bonds which had been presented to Harry for his service in ferreting out the burglars in the wood.