"It's been there all my time, sir."
"Well, I shouldn't be surprised if it is connected with your master's disappearance."
Mrs. Eccles's mouth slowly opened in astonishment.
"We shall be back in two hours, and then—then we shall know."
We left her and went to the office. The youth was cutting an initial on the corner of the table.
"Busy, I see," said Quarles. "I fancy Mr. Portman's disappearance has something to do with that old chest in his room."
"How can that be?"
"I don't know yet. We are going to make an important inquiry and shall be back in a couple of hours. We'll be careful to ring the office bell, not the house one."
As we turned to the front door Quarles caught my arm. He opened the door, letting it go so that it would close itself. For a few moments we remained motionless, then, creeping toward the office door, watched until the clerk's back was turned, and went quickly to Portman's room.
"It is very easy, Wigan," whispered the professor; "if for us, then also for others. You see why I did not want you to lock the door of this room? Now we are in, we will lock it on the inside, and that screen will hide us."