“No, sir, it was not. You see, we have never been molested before up there. I was not as cautious as I might have been. However, if the trunk had been locked, it would have been all the same, I imagine.” “You might have been awakened by the forcing of the lock,” said the detective. “It is strange that you did not hear the sound of the blows which killed your uncle and left your aunt unconscious.” “I wonder at that,” said the young man, “for I am not usually a heavy sleeper. But I hope you can come out to the house at once. The sheriff and two deputies are there, but no one save the coroner has been admitted to the second floor. Can you come now?” “Certainly,” was the reply. “And, another thing,” said the young man, hesitation in his voice, “I wish you to act as my personal representative in the search for the diamonds. This may seem to you a selfish request, with the murderer of my uncle still at large, but it is a matter of great importance to me. The diamonds constitute my sole inheritance from my father. Nothing can bring my uncle back to life, but the diamonds, recovered, will make my future life both useful and happy. Besides, the recovery of the diamonds must point to the murderer.” “That does not necessarily follow,” replied Nick. “However, I will do the best I can for you. You were at your uncle’s yesterday afternoon?” “Yes; I have been stopping there for a month, at his special request.” “When and where were the diamonds delivered to you?” “At uncle’s, at three o’clock. They were brought up from the city by a special messenger, who took a receipt and returned on the first train south.” “When did you open the package containing the diamonds?” “Immediately.” “Where did you open them?” “In the parlor on the first floor.” “Who was present?” “Uncle, aunt, Anton, Bernice, aunt’s maid, and myself.” “Anton is your cousin by marriage only?” “He is a son of my aunt by a first marriage.” “I see. Where was he born?” “In Paris. He has lived there nearly all his life.” “Were there any servants about when the diamonds were shown? Did the servants see the diamonds at all?” “No, sir.” “Was the arrival of the gems talked of before the servants?” “To some extent, yes.” “You were about the grounds in the afternoon?” “Yes, sir. I remember now that I sat on the side porch a long time, looking over the lawn and garden on that side of the house.” “You observed no strangers about?” “No, sir. Say! Two men came up from the station and passed the house shortly after the departure of the messenger who had delivered the diamonds. They passed on about two hundred yards, and then turned toward the depot. I did not see them again.” “What sort of appearing men were they?” “I remember now that their dress and manner gave me the impression that they were sailors.” “The sheriff has charge of the case, I presume?” “Sheriff Walton is there in person. He was notified quite early this morning at Anton’s request.”