"You horrify me," he whispered in awe-stricken tones. "Surely it is impossible. Then you think that Mr Saul--" "Never mind what I think," cried George Harrington sharply. "I only say that I have a horrible suspicion that there has been foul play." "Then--then," cried the lawyer with trembling voice, "you--Oh, it is impossible!" "No, sir; we have heard of such things before." "Yes. Then, of course, we must have a search--the police." "No, sir; we may be wrong." "Yes, yes--of course," cried the old man eagerly--"Yes; you must be wrong." "Look at that dog," whispered George. The old man turned to see that the dog was snuffing about the wall, and ended by beginning to tear away the sawdust at the bottom. "This is too horrible," whispered the old man, wiping his damp brow. "What would you advise?" "Finding out the truth, sir; and at once." "But how. Whom would you trust?" "Ourselves," said George sternly. "Let me see: the gardener is in the house. He must be got rid of, and we must not let the ladies or anyone know what we are going to do." "But what we are going to do?" "You are going to hold the light, sir, while I tear down that wall." The lawyer gazed at him in speechless horror, but seemed to yield at once to the stronger mind. "Bruno!" cried George sharply. The dog bounded to him. "Lie down! Watch! Watch!" The dog uttered a low growl, and followed him as he pointed to the wall, crouched directly, and remained silent and motionless as they left the cellar, and closed and locked the door. CHAPTER THIRTY NINE. FOLLOWING THE CLUE. Just as they reached the hall a door opened upstairs and Gertrude came out, candle in hand. "Bruno is quiet now," said George, looking up to her. "I'll see how Mr Harrington is, and tell you." He went quickly to the study, and looked in. "Quite unchanged," said the doctor, nodding his head. "Do you want to be relieved?" "Oh, no; but you might have remembered me with the spirits and water." "I beg your pardon," said George, and hastily supplying the lapse he had made, he went and reported progress to Gertrude, who smiled her thanks, and returned to where Mrs Hampton was nodding on a couch. "Had we not better wait?" said the lawyer, in a trembling voice. "Wait, sir? Impossible. Come with me." They went into the kitchen where they were saluted by a heavy snore, and found the gardener fast asleep by the fireside. He was roused and sent home as not being again necessary; and as soon as the door was closed upon him, George turned upon the lawyer. "Now, sir, where can I find tools: a hammer and chisel?" "Tools? Oh, yes. There are some, I believe, in the little room by the garden door." He led the way to a little cupboard-like ante-room where garden implements, seeds, and odds and ends were stored; and here the necessary implements were soon found. Armed with these and a fresh candle they returned to the cellar, where the dog was evidently patiently watching their return.