“Did you ever suppose I didn’t? I give it now to yonder wardrobe. ’Tis there, I’ll wager, the jewel is.” “We’ll look--we’ll look; though I’ve used it for months unwitting.” He rose, with a laugh and a stretch, as he spoke. A cloud had blurred the sun, and the room had fallen to melancholy shadow. Perhaps it was on this account that, as he flung open one of the heavy doors of the cupboard, something within--an apparition--a momentary trick of the fancy--brought a startled oath from his lips. A hanging wardrobe was revealed, with an empty shelf set above it; and back in the gloom of this shelf, a foul and withered face seemed to grin upon him from the darkness. He thought it was Darda’s hideous relic, and for an instant his heart jumped before the shocking revelation. Then the illusion passed, and he saw that what had discomfited him was nothing more terrifying than a cuff or bracelet of mouldered fur. “What’s the matter?” said Sir David, rising. Tuke passed his hand across his forehead, and was surprised to find a little dampness thereon. “Nothing,” he said, with a rather uncertain laugh. “What a thing, Blythewood, if the highwayman’s ghost should be whipping us on to the chase?” “Ah! if only he’ll put us on the right scent, then.” The little man had come up behind his friend, and was looking down, his eyes intent upon something. “Lord!” he said suddenly, “I’ve found a hidin’-place.” The other stared. “The devil you have!” said he. “You’ve touched nothing. ’Tis like ‘Sit down when you see the rabbit’s tail.’” He glanced nervously, once or twice as he spoke, into the recess above his head. “Well, I’ll lay odds,” said Sir David, “that I’ll show you somethin’ in that cupboard you never guessed at before.” The wardrobe--or the half of it exposed--was filled with coats, small-clothes, and other articles of a gentleman’s attire. But these hung high, and a space intervened between the skirts of them and the floor of the interior. Into this space the visitor plunged his head, and, dropping on his knees, ran his fingers in a hurried, nervous way along the ornamental jambs and the beading of the door-sill. Satisfied, apparently, he nipped this last and gave it a vigorous jerk and pull. There was a click--a snap; and the floor of the half-cupboard shot up, an inch open, like the lid of a box. Sir David fell back on his knees, trembling all over with excitement. “What did I tell you?” he cried. “I’d seen another like it, and guessed the secret. ’Tis your business to look within. Zounds, Tuke, make haste!” His flurry would brook no delay, though the other was bending above him quite white with agitation; so it happened they both put down their hands together and tore open the flap. The little man uttered almost a shriek, as he pounced upon a shagreen case lying upon the top of a folded coat that was deposited within the false-bottom revealed. He staggered to his feet--thrust his treasure into Tuke’s hands.