These the old lawyer manipulated till the letters formed in a row a particular word, when the second key-hole was laid bare, the key inserted and turned, and one end of the iron safe revolved on a pair of huge pivots, shewing the interior--plain, rectangular and dark, with an oblong mass of black metal in the centre. "The steel chest," said the old lawyer, in a whisper, as he stepped inside the great safe, in which he could nearly stand upright. Candle in hand he went to the other end, put down the light for a moment to set his hands free to get a second key--a curiously long, thin key, with the end of which he pushed something at the back of the chest. Then, going to one side, he repeated the act, went back round to the other side, and again repeated it, after which he came to the front, and as he held down the light, those who were intently watching his actions saw that there was a small circle of Roman figures, with a hand like that of a small clock, which he pushed round with the end of the key, till it was at the letter V. This done, he bent over the chest, and repeated the action twice upon the top. Then, as he stepped out, a sharp sound was heard, and a key-hole was laid bare once more. In this he placed the key, turned it, and the steel chest seemed to split open from end to end, dividing in equal parts, which slowly turned over on massive hinges, leaving the centre--a space large enough to hold the coffin--wide open. "Mr Capel," said the old lawyer, stepping aside, "the next duty is yours. There lie the bank notes and the case of precious stones. I give them over to your care." Paul Capel hesitated for a moment, glanced at his companions, then back at the opening leading to the Colonel's room, where Katrine and Lydia were watching. The young man's heart beat heavily as he took the candle, and, stooping down, entered the iron chamber to take from its hiding place his enormous fortune. It was but a step, and he had only to stretch out his hand to pick up the two cases, but-- The steel chest held nothing. _The treasure was not there_. CHAPTER TWELVE. THE END OF THE INSTRUCTIONS. Paul Capel did not realise his position. "Is there some mistake, Mr Girtle?" "Mistake?" "There is nothing here!" "Nothing there?" "Nothing! See for yourself." The old man stepped in, searched, and came out with drops of sweat upon his yellow forehead. "Well?" exclaimed Capel, excitedly, as the old man stared in a dazed way. "It is gone!" said the old lawyer, in a hoarse voice, and his hands trembling violently. "Well, Mr Girtle," said Capel, at last, in a voice that he vainly strove to make firm; "what have you to say?" "To say?" said the old lawyer, hastily. "Oh, it is all a cock and bull story," cried Artis. "There never was any treasure." "Silence, sir," cried the old lawyer recovering himself. "How can you speak like that in the presence of the dead?"