The casket was evidently of Indian workmanship, beautifully put together; the sides and edges inlaid with silver, richly engraved with various curious hieroglyphics. A large massive wax seal, bearing the arms of the Duchesse de Coulancourt, covered the key-hole. “You may perceive, Sir Godfrey,” remarked the solicitor, “that this seal is perfect in all its parts?” “Undoubtedly,” returned the baronet; “it could not be otherwise in honourable hands.” “I can assure you, Sir Godfrey,” said Lieutenant O’Loughlin, coldly, “that my gallant young friend perilled his life to preserve that casket, and there was no fear of any one tampering with it whilst under my care.” Sir Godfrey bowed, observing, “It was fortunate his niece had had such able protectors of both her person and her property.” Mr. Stanmore, who did not admire either the tone or the look of the baronet, and who could very well judge of the feelings of the two young men, hastened to break the seal. William Thornton, with a look not particularly conciliating at Sir Godfrey, handed the key, which was of rather curious construction. This the solicitor inserted, turned the lock, and then threw up the lid, all present naturally leaning forward, feeling some little curiosity concerning its contents. Each naturally expected to behold jewels of great value and diamonds; what they first beheld were shavings. These appeared a rather strange packing material for a rich jewel case; but supposing that the Duchess, in her extremity, could find no other, these were carefully removed, when, to their intense mortification, surprise, and indignation, nothing was found but pieces of old worn lead wrapped in pieces of old sacking or canvas. The four spectators remained for several moments gazing at each other, unable to utter a word. Sir Godfrey Etherton was the first to recover from the surprise all felt. He started to his feet, his sallow cheek flushed and his eyes glistening with the feeling of unaccountable relief, and even of triumph. What cared he for the poor child thus left penniless? “Ah!” he exclaimed, not trying to conceal the joy he felt, or the triumphant tone of his voice; “so this is the end of our investigation. I thought from the first the whole story was a trumped up one, and that this supposed Duchess of Coulancourt was some artificial adventurer and her daughter.” “Hold, sir, and take care what you say!” interrupted O’Loughlin, the fierce, angry flash from his dark eyes telling how strong was the struggle within that hindered him from felling the Baronet at his feet, whilst William Thornton could hardly contain himself. “How, Sir Godfrey,” continued the Lieutenant, checking his rage, “can you presume to call the Duchess of Coulancourt an adventuress, because this casket, be it how it may, has been tampered with?”