umstance? Quite recently, I was sure--to-day--in this
very house. My glance skirted the spacious library, darting from one
object to another, but encountered nothing at all that in any way
resembled it. Here was a subliminal reminder which my perception was
dull to read.

[Illustration: Cipher]

Filled with the idea, I thrust the strip of parchment like paper back
into my pocketbook, and started eagerly upon another tour of the entire
establishment. I paused in one room after another, examined each
article in turn, but ended not a whit wiser than when I began.

Yet my belief in the correctness of the veiled mental impulse remained
unshaken. The design was a facsimile of some object in this house;
something my eyes had rested upon, albeit without the existence at the
time of any occasion to fix it upon my mind; but conjure my brain as I
would, I could not recall where or when.

When Stodger returned, I determined at last, I would set him at work
searching for the odd symbol, or whatever it might be. When I made
this resolve I was standing beside the old walnut table at the head of
Mr. Page's bed; with a forefinger I idly traced the design in the dust
on the artificial leather cover, beside the impress made by the
jewel-box.

My preoccupation was broken in upon by the arrival of the undertaker's
men. It would not do--if the ruby was really beneath this roof--to
grant any strangers unrestricted privileges of the house; at least not
without keeping a heedful eye upon their movements. Alexander Burke, I
shrewdly suspected, was equal to any subterfuge or ruse to obtain the
jewel, and I did not mean to be caught napping.

No small responsibility is involved in safeguarding $500,000--the
amount Maillot declared his uncle had paid for the ruby--particularly
when the guardian himself does not know precisely where the treasure
lies. It would not do to take any chances. Otherwise, if the amount
had been materially less, or had been in a form not so easily disposed
of about the person or by thrusting it into a convenient cranny, or,
perhaps, even tossing it unseen through a window to a waiting
confederate on the outside, my wisest course might have been to permit
Burke, or whoever knew where the jewel was, to lead me to its
hiding-place. But I must be vigilant, always alert; there would be
little sleep for me until I had this extraordinary gem safe in my hands.

So I remained with the undertaker's men until they d