e not, but--"

"But what?"

"I do remember, now, that he flung his traveling-cloak across it just as
the men went to lift it from the wagon, and that the cloak remained
upon it all the time it was in their hands, and until after we had all
left the room. But it was taken away later, for when I went in the
second time, I saw it lying across the chair."

"And the box?"

"Was hidden by the foot of the bed behind which he had dragged it."

"And the cloak? Was it over the box when it went out?"

"No; but I have thought since we have been talking, that the box might
have been turned over after its occupant left it. The holes, if there
were any, would thus be on the bottom, and would escape our detection."

"Very possible, but the sand with which we supposed the box had been
filled would have sifted through."

"Not if a good firm piece of stuff was laid in first, and there were
plenty of such in the secret chamber."

"That is true. But Burritt, you write, was listening at the door, and
yet you mention no remarks of his concerning any noises heard by him
from within. And noise must have been made if this was done, as it must
have had to be done after the tragedy."

"I know I do not," was the hurried reply. "But Burritt probably did not
remain at the door all the time. There is a window seat at the end of
the corridor, and upon it he probably lolled during the few hours of his
watch. Besides, you must remember that Burritt left his post some time
before daylight. He had his duties to attend to, some of which
necessitated his being in the stables by four o'clock, at least."

"I see; and so the affair prospered, as most very daring deeds do, and
they escaped without suspicion, or rather without suspicion pointed
enough to lead to their being followed. I wonder where they escaped to,
and if in all the years that have elapsed, they have for one moment
imagined that they were happy."

"Happy!" was my horrified exclamation. "Oh, if I could find them! If I
could drag them both to this room and make them keep company with their
victim for a week, I should feel it too slight a retribution for them."

"Heaven has had its eye upon them. We have been through fearful crises
since that day, and much unrighteous as well as righteous blood has
been shed in this land. They may both be dead."

"I do not believe it," I muttered. "Such wretches never die." Then, with
a renewed remembrance of Hetty, I remarked: "Curses on the duties