They had reached the door that led into the garden. “Come, Audry, the afternoon is spent and it is time for supper.” CHAPTER XXX THE GREAT IRON CHEST The next morning Master Mowbray went over to Newbiggin to look at the cottage that had been occupied by “Moll o’ the graves,” as it was his property, on the old Middleton estate which was much larger and more important than Holwick. The cottage was in poor condition and he decided that it should be rebuilt. It was dinner time before he came back, so they were not able to go down to the secret room till the afternoon. “Now,” said Aline, as they entered, “first the chest has to be laid on its back.” This they tried to do, but it was too heavy. They pushed and pulled, but they could not stir it. “Let us use some of those stout poles there, standing in the corner,” said Ian; “then we can lever it over.” This they did and with some difficulty the chest was turned over. “I expect that is the very thing for which the poles were used,” Audry suggested. “Probably,” said Aline, as she put her finger on the top right hand rivet head and slid it an inch to the left. “Oh, that is how it works,” exclaimed Master Richard, greatly interested. “Now you have to turn it back again.” “Oh, dear,” they all cried; but set to work, and again the chest stood upright. Aline then moved the second rivet in the same way. “Now turn it over again,” she said. “This is too much, we are not galley slaves,” expostulated Ian. “You are a tyrant, Your Highness.” “Well, anyway I help, my Lord,” answered Aline, with mock gravity. “‘Help,’ you wee kitten!” said Master Richard; “I think I do most of this; and it is my belief,” he added, “that it is not to my interest that the chest should be opened at all.” “Why not?” they all exclaimed. “Never mind. Come. I want to see what’s inside i’ faith.” Once again they heaved and tugged and turned it over. Aline then moved the rivet. “Now turn it back again.” “Look here, we cannot go on that way,” said Master Richard. “There must be thirty rivets. We shall rebel, my liege.” “No, you must do your duty.” So once more they struggled and turned it back. “There, you have done your part,” said Aline, and they all stood round and laughed at each other, when they saw how hot they looked. Every one watched Aline with great curiosity as she now slid aside the whole of one of the iron plates of the chest and disclosed a small lock. Into this she fitted a key and turned it with some difficulty. It was the key on the bunch in the library, whose use Master Richard had not known. This enabled all the central part of the front to hinge down and disclose the large lock to which belonged the key from the moat. The lid was very heavy and it took two of them to open it. The contents were covered by a black velvet cloth, and above it lay a parchment upon which was inscribed in large letters: ALINE GILLESPIE