cret I have got to tell you. If my son had not been
restored to me, it should never have passed my lips, but I have long had
in my keeping some papers, preserved in an iron case. It has been
hidden under the floor of my hut, for I believe there are those who
would deprive me of them if they knew where they are. Alas, I could not
read them myself, but he who has gone, the father of my boy, bade me
carefully keep them. To-morrow, lady, if that good gentleman who is
with you, will come with the steward to assist him, I will place the
case in his hands. If you had not confessed to me what you have now
done, that my son is dear to you, I believe the contents of that box
would have caused you much annoyance and pain, but now I feel it will
only make you glad."

Lady Nora would thankfully have obtained more information from Mistress
O'Neil, but she either would not or could not give it.

"In a few days I trust, in God's mercy, my son will have recovered, and
then it may be time enough for you to examine the papers in the case,"
she answered. It was with difficulty that the old woman could be
persuaded to occupy a room in the castle. She consented, however, to do
so, when Shane promised to return to the hut and take charge of it till
the next day.

The following morning Mr Finlayson set forth accompanied by Mrs
O'Neil, for her cottage. Shane was watching for them. The widow sent
him for a spade, and some minutes were employed in digging, before the
promised box was discovered, so deeply down in the earth had she hid it.

"Ah," she observed, as her brother was working, "it was Father O'Rourke
who had an idea of this case, and I could not tell what use he might
make of it, if he ever got hold of it, and he who has gone charged me
never to let it pass out of my hands."

At length an iron case was brought to light, which Mr Finlayson
attempted eagerly to open.

"I have never seen the inside of it," observed the widow, "and I do not
know either how to get at it; but don't look at it here, Mr Finlayson,
carry it to the castle, where you may look into it at your leisure."

Mistress O'Neil having a few arrangements to make before leaving her
hut, promised to follow Mr Finlayson to the castle. The lawyer, on his
arrival, after examining the case for some time, not unaccustomed to the
various devices employed for such purposes, discovered the spring by
which it was opened. The whole evening was employed by him in lookin