he is either in their control, or
else dead."

"Then Coombs lied."

"Perhaps; although still another supposition is possible. Someone else
may claim to be the heir."

This was a new theory, and one not so unreasonable as it appeared at
first thought. Still it was sufficiently improbable, so that I
dismissed it without much consideration. She apparently read this in
my face.

"It is all groping in the dark until we learn more," she went on
slowly. "Have you decided what you mean to do?"

"Only indefinitely. I want to make a careful exploration of the house
and grounds by daylight. This may reveal something of value. Then we
will go into Carrollton before dark. I cannot consent to your
remaining here another night after what has occurred. Besides, we
should consult a lawyer--the best we can find--and then proceed under
his advice. Do you agree?"

"Certainly; and how can I be of assistance?"

"If you could go back to the house, and keep Sallie busy in the kitchen
for an hour; hold her there at something so as to give me free range of
the house."

"With Sallie!" she lifted her hands in aversion. "It does n't seem as
though I could stand that. But," she added, rising resolutely to her
feet, "I will if you wish it. Of course I ought to do what little I
can. Why, what is this? a seal ring?"

She stooped, and picked the article up from the floor, out of a litter
of dead leaves, and held it to the light between her fingers. As she
gazed her cheeks whitened, and when her eyes again met mine they
evidenced fear.

"What is it?" I asked, when she failed to speak. "Do you recognize it?"

She held it out toward me, her hand trembling.

"That--that was Philip Henley's ring," she said gravely. "Family
heirloom; he always wore it."

CHAPTER XVIII

BEGINNING EXPLORATION

This apparently convincing evidence that Henley was not only alive, but
had preceded us to Carrollton, left us staring into each others' faces,
more deeply mystified than ever.

"He must be here," she articulated faintly.

"At least it would seem that he has been. The seal is a peculiar one,
not likely to be duplicated. But I doubt if he is here now, for he
could have no reason for avoiding us, unless--"

"I know what you mean," she replied, as I hesitated, "unless he
intended to repudiate me, to refuse me recognition."

"Is he that kind of a man?"

"No; not when sober. Under the influence of liquor he becomes a brute