"But, Mr. Spadeley, you know there is a secret drawer: it may never have been discovered."
"There now!" said the sexton, brightening up. "I thought you'd put something to it, and it do make a difference surely; for I were loath to think of false vassals hiding under the wing of the Falconers; leastways, if they've got a wing, which in course they haven't now-a-days; but it don't matter so much, seeing Squire Hazelwood's a good master to serve, and shame to them that don't be thankful. Only you see, Miss Evelyn, it might have been otherways."
"Well, then, Mr. Spadeley, for all our sakes, it is right to have a fresh search, and my father has decided to advertise, with a handsome reward to anyone who will give information."
"Well, Miss Evelyn," said Spadeley, meditatively, "I can't say as I shall feel much beholden to anybody as gives information for pay, while there's opportunity to give it without, and I don't believe we'll get any nearer to the old bit of furniture so. But you and Miss Maude just try again, out of our parish a bit, and if it be above ground, surely you'll come at it for love."
Smiling at the old man's tenacious interest in the honour of the inhabitants of the Falcon Range, and his chivalrous tribute to her own and Maude Falconer's influence, the young lady went home to discuss the melancholy fears of the bureau having been, broken up for fire-wood, and the document in question perhaps having served to feed the flame.
The Squire gave his humble neighbours credit for a little more sense than this reckless destruction would have indicated, and had some confidence in the effect of his offer, largely placarded in very large letters and figures, of "Twenty pounds reward" for the recovery of an old bureau, supposed to have been given among other lumber to any person who might think it worth carrying away, when the workmen were engaged upon repairs of the old Moat House.
In the direction of N— Park, the young ladies seldom rode, as great changes had occurred there; but now, furnished with a clue by Jane Spadeley, the efficient mistress of their school at Pine-wood End, they determined to visit the farms and cottages around a long forbidden scene of much regret to the old-fashioned Protestantism of the true-hearted Squire.
Bound for some cottages a little way beyond, Maude and Evelyn instinctively reined up their ponies at the open gates of N— Park, just within which appeared a scene well calculated to arrest attention.
On a gentle elevation, selected for picturesque effect, stood a beautiful little chapel, built in miniature imitation of an admired cathedral church. Building materials still lay scattered about, but it was evidently open for use, for two old women, one old man, and three or four children were coming slowly down the steps, and a robed priest appeared behind them, looking out and about from the doors.
Quickly observing the young horse-women at the Park gates, he retired for a moment, and reappeared in ordinary dress, to pay his respects and to request the pleasure of showing them the new church.