It was quite dark when he reached Vue de l’Eau, and, by exercising a little caution, he managed to effect an entrance to his library unobserved, where he immediately concealed the trophy which he had that day discovered. * * * * * While Colonel Mapleson had been engaged with his laborious search at the Hermitage, his son was earnestly pursuing investigations elsewhere. After stealing noiselessly away from the cottage, where he had discovered his father within it looking over that trunk, he only proceeded as far as the old mill, where he again dismounted, and leading his horse beneath a shed that was attached to it, and which was so thickly overgrown with vines that it made a very secure hiding-place, he fastened him to a post, after which he climbed the stairs to the main portion of the crazy structure, and remained there, watching until he saw Colonel Mapleson leave the cottage, and when he was well out of sight he stole back to the mysterious little house, resolved not to leave it again until he, too, had seen the contents of that hitherto unsuspected trunk, and learned the secret of its being there. He effected an entrance the same way that he had done before—by shaking loose the bolt on the kitchen door—made his way to the bedroom, lifted the valance of the couch and looked eagerly beneath it. The trunk was there. It was the work of but a moment to pull it forth from its hiding-place, but it was not so easy to open it. He pried patiently at the lock for a long time before he succeeded in forcing it; but it gave way at last, and, with a thrill of expectation, mingled with something of awe and dread, he laid back the lid to examine the contents. It was packed full of clothing. There were dainty dresses of different materials—silk, and wool, and muslin. There were mantels and jackets, with underclothing, finely embroidered and trimmed with lace, besides many other accessories of a refined lady’s toilet. There were pretty boxes filled with laces, ribbons, handkerchiefs, and gloves. There was a small jewel casket, in which there were a few but expensive articles of jewelry—a watch case, containing a small enameled and jeweled watch and chain, and many other articles in that closely-packed trunk. But Everet cared for none of these things; he was hunting for, and at last he found, that portfolio over which his father had been so much absorbed, and he seized it with an air of triumph, for he believed it must contain the solution of the secret which of late had caused him many sleepless nights and anxious days. CHAPTER XXXV. TWO LETTERS. The portfolio was not locked, and within it Everet discovered numerous letters, all of which were addressed to “Miss Annie Dale.” Most of them were in ladies’ handwriting, and a glance sufficed to show that they were from schoolmates and girlish friends.