"It's not private," snapped Colpster, sitting down at his desk; "only your unexpected appearance startled me. I would have reported the conversation to you later, as I know that you are as anxious as I am to recover the palladium of the family." "I should certainly like to recover it personally," said Theodore with point, "as I know the succession to the estate depends upon its being given to you. If I get it, I inherit; if Basil is the lucky finder, he obtains all the property. You know what you arranged." "Yes, and I hold to that arrangement. But as neither Basil nor you have secured the Mikado Jewel----" "Neither one of us inherits?" finished Dane quietly. "The one who marries Mara gets it," said Colpster decisively. "She is my only daughter and must benefit under my will. Marry her, Theodore, and be my heir. Mara is a nice girl; you can't object." "Mara will. She likes Basil better than she does me." "In that case, she must marry Basil, and he can become master here, when I pass over," said Mr. Colpster, with a shrug. Theodore's white face flushed and his blue eyes glittered even more brightly than usual. Patricia, who was watchful of his every movement--for the latent strength of the man impressed her--guessed that he was furiously angry, but was reining in his passion with an iron hand. "If Basil inherits he will turn me out of doors," he said heavily. "Oh, you can make your own arrangements with Basil," said the Squire. "You and he never get on well together, so----" "Because I am the ugly duckling," burst out Theodore, his eyes flaming like sapphires. "Basil is the popular one; he has all the looks and all the----" He checked himself suddenly and smiled in a wry manner. "But these family arrangements cannot interest Miss Carrol. Let us leave marriages and any arrangement that may come after your death, uncle, alone for the moment. We have to find the emerald." "In what way?" asked the Squire directly, and rather sourly. There did not seem to be much love lost between him and his burly nephew. "We must find out where Harry Pentreddle is and question him. Isa Lee may know, but in order not to lose time, I suggest that we question Mara." "No," said Colpster sharply. "Last time you put her in a trance she was ill for days. I won't have her constitution tampered with." "Mara's spirit got beyond my control," said Theodore quickly, "and remained away longer than was wise. It would not obey!" "The child might have died," growled the Squire, who did not seem surprised at this strange speech of his nephew's. "Leave her alone. Isa Lee will certainly be able to tell us where Harry is. Mara is useless." "She was not useless when she told you where the emerald was to be found," said Theodore calmly, and lounging in his deep chair.