"I locked the box and carried it with my own hands to my study. I placed it in the drawer of my writing-table, and locked that. I never parted with my keys to any one; as is my invariable rule, I placed them under my pillow. I slept soundly all night, and when I woke I found them there. As I tell you I have been to the box, and the notes are gone. I cannot understand it, for I do not see any indication of a theft, and yet I have been robbed." Miss Hastings looked very thoughtful. "You have certainly been robbed," she said. "Are you sure the keys have never left your possession?" "Never for one single moment," he replied. "Has any one in the house duplicate keys?" she asked. "No. I bought the box years ago in Venice; it has a peculiar lock--there is not one in England like it." "It is very strange," said Miss Hastings. "A thousand pounds is no trifle to lose." Pauline Darrell, her face turned to the flowers, uttered no word. "You might show some little interest, Pauline," said her uncle, sharply; "you might have the grace to affect it, even if you do not feel it." "I am very sorry indeed," she returned, coldly. "I am grieved that you have had such a loss." Sir Oswald looked pacified. "It is not so much the actual loss of the money that has grieved me," he said; "I shall not feel it. But I am distressed to think that there should be a thief among the people I have loved and trusted." "What a solemn council!" interrupted the cheery voice of Aubrey Langton. "What gloomy conspirators!" Sir Oswald looked up with an air of great relief. "I am so glad you are come, Aubrey; you can advise me what to do." And the baronet told the story of his loss. Captain Langton was shocked, amazed; he asked a hundred questions, and then suggested that they should drive over to Audleigh Royal and place the affair in the hands of the chief inspector of police. "You said you had not taken the numbers of the notes; I fear it will be difficult to trace them," he said, regretfully. "What a strange, mysterious robbery. Is there any one you suspect, Sir Oswald?" No; in all the wide world there was not one that the loyal old man suspected of robbing him. "My servants have always been to me like faithful old friends," he said, sadly; "there is not one among them who would hold out his hand to steal from me." Captain Langton suggested that, before going to Audleigh Royal, they should search the library. "You may have made some mistake, sir," he said. "You were tired last night, and it is just possible that you may have put the money somewhere else, and do not remember it." "We will go at once," decided Sir Oswald. Miss Hastings wished them success; but the proud face directed toward the flowers was never turned to them. The pale lips were never unclosed to utter one word. After the gentlemen had left them, when Miss Hastings began to speak eagerly of the loss, Pauline raised her hand with a proud gesture.