‘On the contrary, madam; no. Had such been the case, doubtless it would have been discovered long since. I do not suppose you would have been behindhand in the search; and if I remember, at the time of my late client’s decease, no pains were spared to find his effects. I think that is so?’
Miss Wakefield emitted a grim smile, and nodded.
‘Very good,’ the lawyer continued—‘very good.—Mr Slimm, I suppose you have the implements at hand? Nothing remains now for it but immediately to set to work and accomplish our mission. I have seen some extraordinary things in the course of my professional career, but I must say that since I have had the honour to be on the rolls, I never encountered anything like this.’
‘How did it come out?’ asked Miss Wakefield acidly.
‘Margaret Boulton—you remember her, of course—she was charged with a paper disclosing this secret. If I mistake not, it was given her on the day of Mr Morton’s death.’
Miss Wakefield drew her breath sharply. ‘Had I but known!’ she said slowly—‘ah, had I but known!’
There are spots, astronomers inform us, on the sun—a metaphorical expression which, in the language of the day, implies that nothing is perfect. The expression used by Miss Wakefield therefore proved her to be after all but human, and, I am afraid, raised a feeling of gratulation in her listeners’ breasts that she had not known.
‘We are wasting time here,’ said Mr Carver shortly.
At this signal, every one rose, and made their way out of the house, and thence on to the lawn. They were secluded entirely from observation, and it was impossible for passers-by to see the operations. Mr Slimm presently appeared bearing a pickaxe and spade, and without delay commenced operations. He was an old miner, and went to work in a scientific manner, which could not fail to win the entire approval of the spectators. Miss Wakefield, who, be it remembered, was entirely in the dark, watched his proceedings with a thrilling interest entirely lost in contemplating the workman.
The spot where they were standing was in the centre of the lawn, and there stood the figure of Niobe in the centre. Truly, the last place to look for a fortune.