"What! do you mean to say"--and he began to tremble exceedingly--"that you have found any trace, any clue even, to my poor darlings?" "Yes, thank God, I have. Oh, Uncle, I am so glad!" And I threw myself into his arms: his head fell heavily on my shoulder, and I felt that I had been too sudden. He could not speak, but fetched one long sob. I parted his white hair, and looked at him as if in surprise at his hastiness. "Dear Uncle, we must not be certain yet. I mean that I have found something, or fancy I have found something, which--which--I mean if properly followed up--may lead in time--but you know how sanguine I am." "Clara, you are playing with me. It is a mistake to do so. I cannot bear it, child. But the sudden shock I can bear. Let me know all at once. Are they alive or dead?" "Alive, I think, dear Uncle; and I hope to find them soon, if you will calmly advise me." "You have found them. No more fencing. I know it by your eyes. All the truth this moment, unless you wish to kill me." He stood up as if to seize me, for I had withdrawn from his grasp, but his poor legs would not carry him; so I was obliged to seize him instead. He fell sideways on a chair, and vainly tried to speak; but his eyes never faltered from mine. "Dearest Uncle, I tell you the truth. Of course I cannot be certain yet, and it won’t do to make a mistake; and so I want more evidence." "I want no more. Only let me see them." He spoke very slowly, and the muscles of his face twitched at every word. "Now, keep your mind calm and clear, to help me, my dear Uncle; for I know not what to do. Have you anything, any tokens at all, of their beloved mother?" My object was to divert his mind, for I saw the approach of coma, and now trembled more than he did. With a feeble smile at the folly of my question, after such a love as his, he answered in great exhaustion, "Take the key from my neck. You know the large black box in--in--"