"Old Nicholls leaned back in his chair. He put his hands into his two pockets, and he looked at me out of the corners of his eyes. "'I have--I have formed a decided theory. But, upon my word, I don't know what right you have to ask me.' "'I trust, before we part, to prove to your entire satisfaction that I have every right. What's the nature of your theory?' "'What's the nature of your right?' "I laughed. I saw that he meant to understand more clearly where we stood before he went any further. "'I believe I am in a position to produce an owner for the property--when found.' "'When found?' "'Precisely--when found. As yet it still remains to be found. I must ask you not, at this moment, to press me for further details, and of course you, on your part, are entitled to keep your theory to yourself.' "'I am entitled to keep my theory to myself, as you say. But I know your father was an honest man, and as it happens, I know something about you, and I believe you also are an honest man. So as I am anxious, for many reasons, that this Ossington mystery should be unravelled, you shall have my theory for what it's worth.' "'He tilted his chair on to its hind-legs, watching me keenly all the time. "'Thomas Ossington was peculiar--not, in any sense of the word, insane, but out of the common run. In particular he was secretive, especially latterly, as perhaps was only natural. My theory is that, distrusting banks and all such human institutions, he secreted his cash, his title deeds, and everything he valued, in some hiding-place of his own contriving, and that there it remains concealed unto this hour.'" The two girls rose simultaneously. "Madge," cried Ella, "did you hear that? That's exactly what you said." In Madge's tones there was the ring of an assured conviction. "I was sure of it--and I am sure of it; as sure as any one possibly can be." "May I ask," inquired Jack, with mock severity, "who is it who is interrupting now? Will you let the gentleman go on?" Graham went on. "'But where,' I said, 'do you think he is likely to have found such a hiding-place?' "Old Nicholls looked at me, if possible, more shrewdly than ever.