Although the house at Norbiton was still intact, I was told by George Bryant that during the last twelve months every nook and cranny had been searched without avail. He still believed that the wealth was hidden somewhere, but he had begun to doubt whether it would ever be found. Naturally, when he heard of Sims's attempt to sell a diamond pin, his hopes revived. His brother Charles had always thought that Sims knew something, but he himself had not thought so. Now the affair was on an entirely different footing. When I had told my story in the empty room at Chelsea I think we were all three convinced that this was the toughest problem we had ever tackled. "Did the relatives respect the old man's wish and have the body cremated?" Zena asked. "No; he was buried in a cemetery at Kingston." "Then they don't deserve to find the money, and I hope they won't." "I do not like the relatives," I returned; "but in this matter there is something to be said for them. They have always been opposed to cremation, a fact which Mr. Ottershaw knew quite well, and, recognizing the contemptuous tone of the will, not unreasonably, I think, they decided that the wish was expressed only to annoy them, and that their uncle had no real desire to be cremated." "One of your absurd questions," said Quarles. "It seems to me I have never asked a more natural or a more sensible one," said Zena. "I won't argue, my dear," Quarles returned. "I presume that paper you have there, Wigan, is a copy of the wording of the will?" "Yes," and I handed it to him. "Of course, you do not think Sims has any connection with this jewel robbery you have been engaged upon?" "No; he would not be selling so valuable a stone for twenty pounds." "And you have come to the conclusion that his story is a plain statement of facts?" "I think so." "You are not sure?" "Well, one cannot close one's eyes to the possibility that he may dislike the Bryants as much as his master did, and may be keeping his master's secret," I answered. "Or he may have learned the secret by chance," said Zena. "He may," said the professor. "You questioned him upon that point, Wigan?" "He says he knows nothing." "What has become of the pin?" "It is in the hands of the police at present, but will be handed back to him. There is no evidence whatever that he is not the rightful owner. The Bryants wanted to have him arrested." Quarles spread out the paper, and began reading parts of the will in a slow, thoughtful manner.