it is an original and unique. Look at the
splendid rubies and emeralds and these two big diamonds at the top, and
there is so little of Benvenuto's work left that is authentic."

"That is an unusual sum of money, is it not?" Halcyone asked. "That
would surely give them anything they want for their lives; perhaps we
ought not to keep them waiting."

And so after much talk it was arranged that Halcyone should make several
journeys, taking the gold to the long gallery and then the crucifix; and
then the box could be lifted and repacked again there. And, when she had
it all stowed away carefully in the recess of the paneling, she and
Cheiron should go openly to the back door and let the caretaker know
they had arrived, and go into the house--and there ostensibly find the
treasure. Then they would write to the Misses La Sarthe about their
discovery, and take the box to Applewood and deposit it in the bank
until their return.

All this took a long time but was duly carried out, and about eight
o'clock Halcyone and the Professor were able to go back, carrying the
crucifix with them, to keep it safe for the night and then to put it
back with the gold and the parchment, before they took the box to the
bank on the morrow.

"It may be worth more still and there is a good deal of gold," the
Professor said, "and their coins would be worth more now. You will be
quite a little heiress some day, dear child."

"I do not care the least about money, Cheiron," she said, "but I shall
be so glad for the aunts."

And when eventually the old ladies received the news of their fortune
there was much rejoicing, and by following Cheiron's advice they were
not defrauded and might look forward to a most comfortable end to their
lives. Miss Roberta even dreamed of a villa at the seaside and a visit
to London Town!

But meanwhile the Professor and Halcyone went back to London and on the
Saturday left for Dieppe.

London, perhaps from her numbed state of misery, had said nothing to
Halcyone. It remained in her memory as a nightmare, the scene of the
confirmation of her winter of the soul. Its inhabitants were ghosts, the
young men--jolly, hearty, young fellows from the Stock Exchange, and
rising Radical politicians whom she had met--went from her record of
things as so many shadows.

The vast buildings seemed as prisons, the rush and flurry as worrying
storms, and even the parks as only feeble reminders of her dear La
Sarthe Chase.

Noth