"Come, quickly, Michael," he replied, and turning, led the way towards the house.
He took me straight into the study, where one glance sufficed to prove that something bad had happened. The window, a pane of which above the fastener had been broken, lay wide open; papers were littered on the floor; while with a thrill of fear, I noticed that my mother's portrait was displaced.
"Father, what is wrong?" I asked, turning to the spot where he stood staring at me in dumb, frightened fashion.
He made no answer, but going over to the secret panel, opened it, and pointed to a darkened corner.
With trembling hand I took a candle from the table, and, kneeling, looked inside.
The Black Box was not there!
CHAPTER VI
"Too Late"
When I glanced up, amazed and stupefied, it was to find my father's eyes fixed on me with a look that I shall ne'er forget. 'Twas one of fear, and bitterness, and deep reproach. For a moment I was stricken dumb, then, scarce knowing what I said, I gasped:
"Gone! How?"