ou
searching for this man?"

"I could speedily satisfy you on that point," the law clerk said
slowly; "but this is not the time to do so. I am acting for my
employers--Parchmont & Tolliver, of Lincoln's Inn, London. They are a
well-known and honorable firm of solicitors, and it is of importance to
them that Osmund Maiden should be found."

"Then find him," the factor replied. "Find him, but don't ask me to
break into this trunk."

Mr. Burley agitatedly wiped his brow.

"Sir, I beg of you to reconsider your determination," he pleaded.
"Permit me to see what is in the trunk. Open it in my presence, let me
hastily examine the contents, and then seal it up intact. It is a simple
matter for you--a most important one for me."

At first Macdonald made no reply, but he was clearly moved by the law
clerk's earnestness and importunity. He hesitated a moment, and then
said coldly:

"I will do this much for you, sir: I will take the rope from the trunk
and if it can be picked open without breaking the lock, well and good;
if not, you must be content."

"Try it, sir, at once," exclaimed Mr. Burley.

Taking a knife from his pocket, the factor knelt beside the trunk. He
began to sever, one by one, the tightly-knotted strands of rope; they
had been tied so many years that they could not be picked open. The law
clerk fairly trembled with excitement as he bent over him; Flora and I
watched the operation calmly.

Just then we heard soft footsteps, and looking up we were surprised to
see Captain Rudstone standing within a yard of us. There was a peculiar
gleam in his eyes, and a half-amused, half-mocking expression lurked on
his inscrutable features. His glance swept about the room, then settled
keenly on our little group.

"Pardon me for interrupting you, Mr. Macdonald," he said in
well-modulated tones. "I heard you were here, and as my business
happened to lie in the same direction, I took the liberty of following
you uninvited. I could not have arrived at a more opportune time. I
think that is my trunk you are trying to open. May I relieve you of the
trouble?"

"Your trunk, sir?" gasped the factor, letting the knife drop from his
fingers.

"Yes, mine. I am Osmund Maiden!"

CHAPTER XLIV.

THE RIGHTFUL CLAIMANT.

Imagine, if you can, the effect this amazing assertion had upon us. We
were stupefied--struck speechless; we could only stare breathlessly,
with