‘He might have removed it himself,’ suggested Belassis humbly. ‘You know better than that. If he had once found a safe place of hiding, out of your reach, he would never have been tempted to remove it. Hating you more and more as he did at the close of his life, is it likely he would ever have changed his mind about the will?’ And then the search continued in silence for a long while, whilst Tor stood concealed in his recess, watching them with lynx-like eyes. He did not choose to leave the room, even for a moment, lest in that moment the missing paper should be found. He did not feel inclined, now that he was no longer master of the house, to step out and confront them, and demand the reason of this strange nocturnal visit. So he waited and watched in silence, for what seemed a long time, until a faint blue film stealing into the room, announced the approach of dawn. ‘We must be going now,’ said Mrs. Belassis. ‘We have done a good two hours’ work, and have made a considerable way with the task. Four or five more nights ought to see the end of it. We have done nearly half in the four nights we have spent here already. I wish the light did not come so soon. It is hardly safe to be abroad after dawn. Come, Alfred, we must be going.’ Tor slipped away from the room as they replaced the last volume on the shelf, and mounted a few steps of the staircase. Two minutes later Mr. and Mrs. Belassis came out, and locked the door carefully behind them. Then they took their way towards the offices, and Tor followed quietly, at a discreet distance. Betsy Long emerged from one of the rooms at the sound of their footsteps, yawning portentously. Mrs. Belassis slipped something into her hand as she passed, and the girl curtseyed and said: ‘Thank you, ma’am.’ Then the worthy couple made their exit by the back-door, which Betsy carefully locked behind them. Turning round, she uttered a loud scream, for her ex-master stood before her. ‘Nice goings on, these, Betsy,’ remarked Tor quietly. ‘What have you got to say for yourself, eh?’ Betsy trembled and whimpered, and did not seem to have anything at all to say. ‘Now, stop all that noise,’ said Tor, with that quiet authority in his tone which always ensured instant obedience, ‘and answer me truthfully, if you can. Are you and Mrs. Belassis in league together?’ ‘Yes, sir, if you please, sir,’ answered Betsy faintly. ‘And you have been her tool and spy ever since you came here?’ ‘Yes, sir.’ ‘What have you done for her so far, since you came, besides letting her in these four times to search the library?’ Betsy trembled still more, but felt compelled to answer. ‘Please, sir, not much. I read a few letters, and listened, when I could, to what went on. My missis—I mean Mrs. Belassis—said as she thought all wasn’t right, and bid me watch and find out all I could; but it didn’t seem to me there was much to do except to look for the paper—what’s hidden away in the library.’