"Nothing hollow about this, at any rate," he said, after examining the ferrule closely. When we returned to the hall he was interested in the sticks in the stand. "He was fond of stout ones, Wigan," laughed Quarles. "Well, I don't think there is much to interest us here." Our inspection of the house had been of the most casual kind. We hadn't even looked into some of the rooms, and the odd corners and fireplaces to which I had given considerable attention on my former visit hardly received a passing glance from Quarles. "Have you looked at everything you want to see?" I asked in astonishment. "I think so. You said the cellars had been dug up, so they are of no interest, and I warrant the Bryants have already searched in every likely and unlikely place. What is the use of going over the same ground, or in examining cabinets and drawers for false backs and false bottoms, when others have done it for us?" "What is your next move, then?" "I think we may as well go back to Chelsea and talk about it." I must admit that, in spite of my knowledge of Quarles, I thought he was beaten this time, and that he was using bluff to hide his disappointment. I thought he had gone to Norbiton with a fixed idea in his mind, only to discover that he had made a mistake. He would not discuss the affair on our way back to Chelsea; but when we reached the house, he called for Zena, and the three of us retired to the empty room. "Well, dear, is the ten per cent. reward to make us rich beyond the dreams of avarice?" asked Zena. "It is impossible to say." "Then you haven't found the money?"