He was in here over an hour, and made a most
careful search all around."
"And what explanation did he give?"
"He only said, 'If I find what I want, Ann, I shall make you a present
of a ten-pound note.' That naturally made me anxious."
"He made no other remark about the young lady's death?" I inquired
anxiously.
"No. Only he sighed, and looked steadily for a long time at the
photograph. I saw his lips moving, but his words were inaudible."
"You haven't any idea of the reason why he called upon Mr. Leithcourt, I
suppose?"
"From what he said, I've formed my own conclusions," was her answer.
"And what is your opinion?"
"Well, I feel certain that there is, or was, something concealed in this
house that he's very anxious to obtain. He came to demand it of Mr.
Leithcourt, but what happened in the library we don't know. He, however,
believes that Mr. Leithcourt has not taken it away, and that, whatever
it may be, it is still hidden here."
CHAPTER X
I SHOW MY HAND
On my return to London next day I made inquiry at the Admiralty and
learned that the battleship _Bulwark_ was lying at Palermo, therefore I
telegraphed to Jack Durnford, and late the same afternoon his reply came
at the Cecil:--
"_Due in London twentieth.
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