“There’s nothing to be done in that line that hasn’t been done,” said the sheriff, despairingly. “All evening Doctor and Mrs Varian as well as the butler and cook have been going over the house and the grounds, calling, and hunting for the girl, with no success of any sort.” “Had she a dog?” “No, there is none about. Now, just before you came, we were thinking of looking over some of Mr Frederick Varian’s papers——” “And there’s no reason to change our plans,” said Doctor Varian; “Mr Granniss’ presence will not interfere.” So Rodney sat by, awaiting the possible awakening of Mrs Varian, and trying hard to think of some new way to look for Betty. With keys obtained from the pockets of the dead man, his brother opened the drawers of the desk. “It must be done,” he said, as his hand slightly hesitated, “and, too, we may come across some clue to his death.” Among the first of the important papers found was Frederick Varian’s will. The contents of this were a surprise to no one present, for the entire estate was left to the wife, with instructions that she make due and proper provisions for the daughter. But a final clause caused Herbert Varian to stare incredulously at the paper. “What is it, dear?” Janet asked, seeing his astonishment. “Why,—why, Janet! the Varian pearls are left to Eleanor!” “To Eleanor? No!” “But they are! See, it’s plain as day!” There was no doubt as to his statement. The final clause of Frederick Varian’s last will and testament, bequeathed the string of pearls, known as ‘the Varian pearls,’ to his niece, Eleanor, the daughter of his brother Herbert. “Just what is so startling in that?” asked Potter, curiously, and Doctor Varian replied: “The Varian pearls are an heirloom, and are valued at two hundred thousand dollars. It is the custom for the oldest of the family to inherit them, and he is expected to bequeath them to his oldest child. Why did my brother leave them to my daughter instead of to Betty?” “Herbert, it’s dreadful! Eleanor shall not take them!” Janet cried. “That makes no difference, ma’am,” Potter said; “it’s the fact that Mr Varian left them away from his own child, that proves the attitude of the father to the daughter!” CHAPTER VII Minna Varian It was not until after the funeral of her husband that Minna Varian really came to herself. The three intervening days, she had been free from hysterics but had been in a state of physical exhaustion and incapable of any exertion. But on the day after the funeral, she seemed to take on a new vitality.