ding-place. We know that it is there and
nowhere else that it will be searched for, and with it in my room we
need have no more uneasiness. I can unsew the straw _pailliasse_ at
the bottom of my bed, and when it is safely in there I shall have no
fear whatever."

"Of course you can do as you like, Charlotte," Eleanor said feebly;
"but for my part I would much rather go on as we are. We don't know
now that the will really exists, and I would much rather go on
thinking that there is a doubt about it."

"Very well, then; go on so, Eleanor. You need ask no questions of me,
and I shall tell you nothing. Only remember, if I die before you don't
part with the _pailliasse_ on my bed."

Mrs. Conway thought a good deal during the day about the events of the
night before, and determined to be more cautious than ever in her
operations; for she thought it probable that Miss Penfold would be
even more wakeful and suspicious than before. She would have left the
search alone for a few days had it not been for the idea that had
taken her from her bed the night before. It had struck her then as
possible that the spring opening the secret closet might be in the
chimney behind it, and that it was necessary to touch this from the
outside before opening the door of the secret room.

She was convinced that had there been a spring in the room itself she
must have discovered it, but it never before struck her that it might
be at the back of the closet. She felt that she must satisfy herself
on this point whatever the risk of discovery. Accordingly at the usual
hour she made her way downstairs. She had put the key in the door, and
was in the act of turning it when she heard a noise upstairs. She
opened the door and stood looking up the stairs. In a moment she saw a
light, and directly afterward Miss Penfold appeared at the top holding
a candle in her hand. Knowing she was as yet unseen, Mrs. Conway
entered the library and closed the door behind her. Then she hurried
to the fireplace, touched the two springs, pulled the bookcase open
and entered the secret chamber, and closed the bookcase behind her.

She had often examined the lock, thinking that the secret spring of
the closet might be concealed here. It was a large old-fashioned one,
and moved two bolts, one at the top of the door and one at the bottom.
These she had already discovered could be easily opened from the
inside. She imagined that Miss Penfold was merely going round the
house