will get them," said Macdonald. "The man has
been missing for nearly thirty years."

"And you made constant inquiries for him in the north," I added.

"But he may not have remained in the wilderness," cried the law clerk.
"Perhaps he went south again by another road. It is even possible that
he claimed his trunk and that by mistake this name was not erased."

"We never did business here in that loose way," replied the factor a
little sharply. "Come, Mr. Burley, I will give you a final satisfaction.
It would be useless to search the file of receipts, for I am positive
that Osmund Maiden's is not there. But I will readily show you his
trunk--trunk 409. Will you please to follow me, gentlemen?"

CHAPTER XLIII.

A DRAMATIC INTERRUPTION.

It need not be said that Christopher Burley and myself accepted the
factor's invitation with alacrity, though, indeed, the mere sight of the
missing man's trunk promised to be but poor game. On the contrary,
should the trunk not be found, it would amount to a certainty that
Osmund Maiden had returned to claim his property, but I did not look for
this contingency, which would throw the law clerk off the trail once
more.

On the way from the office we had occasion to cross the house, and in
the lower hall we came upon Flora, attired in her outdoor costume of
furs. She looked at us with some surprise, standing so that we could not
pass her.

"I am going for a short walk, Denzil," she said, "and I hoped you would
accompany me."

"Yes, if you will wait just few moments," I replied. "We are on our way
to the room where the unclaimed trunks are stored. It is a matter of
some importance to Mr. Burley and I wish to see the end of it myself."

"Oh, has Mr. Burley's search been successful at last?" Flora exclaimed
eagerly. "He was telling me of his fresh hopes this morning, and I was
deeply interested."

"Yes, Miss Hatherton, it seems that I was on the right track," the law
clerk replied. "Osmund Maiden passed through Fort Garry nearly
twenty-eight years ago. He left a trunk here--"

"And you are going to look for it?" Flora interrupted. "How curious!
Please take me with you, Denzil, if Mr. Macdonald does not object."

"Not in the least," the factor answered gallantly. "Come with us, if you
like, but I warn you it will be a dusty undertaking."

"I am not afraid of dust or cobwebs," Flora said laughingly.

She slipped a hand