There was a breathless pause which could almost be felt. Margaret was afraid the others would hear the loud thumping of her heart as the long moments passed. Then in a voice from which it sounded as if all feeling had passed, Mr. Medhurst said quietly: "What put such an idea in the boy's head, I wonder?" "He said he heard his father tell a chum," answered Bob. "What is the boy's name, by the way?" "Johnson--his father is a barrister." Did Margaret hear a catch in his breath as Mr. Medhurst said: "Ah, Johnson." Again there was silence, and then: "Did you believe the boy's statement?" asked Mr. Medhurst, still in that dull, toneless voice of indifference. "_Believe him_, father!" The light of indignant scorn flamed into the boy's eyes and rang in his voice: "Believe him, believe that of _my_ father!" Mr. Medhurst suddenly leaned forward, a new expression in his face, an interested alertness in his voice. "I see--you trust me--eh? Then why such excitement over the boy's remark?" "I punished his insolence, sir. How dared he say such a thing!" "You knocked him out, evidently. I don't suppose he'll offend again, though I fancy his father may object. This may mean a doctor's bill, but never mind that, I expect there is no serious damage. You had better stay at home until Monday, and meanwhile I will write to Dr. Armstrong. And another time, keep your temper, my son, and treat such remarks with the cold contempt they deserve. I think we must be better friends in the future, eh?" he added. The kindly smile which lit his face as he spoke these last words transfigured it; tears glistened in the boy's eyes. Margaret left the room hurriedly, a great hope and joy tugging at her heart; for the first time since she came to Oaklands she had seen an expression of affection pass between father and son. CHAPTER VIII DISCOVERY It was a month now since Margaret's necklace had disappeared, and she had almost given up hope of its recovery. Mrs. Medhurst still advised her to continue the search, but to refrain from troubling Mr. Medhurst, as he had so many business worries, and would, she felt sure, be upset by the loss. "Of course, it is wiser to keep the matter from the children; they can know nothing about it. I have always trusted Betsy and James, they are such old servants, and nothing of the kind has ever happened before. I have questioned them, dear Miss Woodford. We must both watch and wait; still, somehow I feel sure you will recover the jewels. I still think you must have mislaid them. I feel so worried about your loss, I believe I could find it." So she had argued. Margaret smiled at the suggestion of her having put the necklace away and overlooked it. She had searched her boxes more than once, and turned out all her drawers, and now, anxious to soothe Mrs. Medhurst's anxiety, she promised to go over them all again.