I
tear that wall down with my own hands. You'll help me, Joe, dear Joe,
won't you? For the master?"

He moved forward, instantly, but Adrian interposed. He was colorless
with excitement yet his voice had the ring of hope and expectation, as
he bent and looked into Malachi Wadislaw's eyes.

"Is she right, father? Do you hear me? Is there anything in that small
place?"

"I remember--I remember. The bonds. The bonds are safe. Always--always
keep your money in a hidden----"

"God forbid!" groaned the lad. Then to the builder, "Get your men.
Tear down that wall. Quick. A man's life is at stake, or more than
life--his honor."

The contractor hesitated, then remarked:

"Well, it won't weaken the building, as I see; and we had decided on
the work. It would have to come down anyway."

He stepped to the street and summoned a waiting workman. They were
skilled and labored rapidly, with little scattering of dust or mortar,
though Margot would not move aside even from that, but gave them room
for working only, standing with gaze riveted on that deepening shaft.
A mere shell of single bricks, plastered and painted as the remaining
wall, had hidden it; and its depth was little below the thick-beamed
floor.

At last the workman stood up.

"I think I see the bottom, sir, and there seems to be stuff in it.
Would you like to feel, young man?"

"No, no! I! It is I--to me the right--to find them!" cried Margot,
flinging herself between, and downward on the floor.

[Illustration: SHE STOOPED AND FLUNG THEM OUT]

"But, Margot, little girl, don't be so sure. It's scarcely
probable----" began Adrian, compassionately, shrinking from sight of
her bitter disappointment, should disappointment come. Alas! it would
be almost as great to him, and whether a glad or sorry one he could
not yet realize.

"His face! Look at your father's face. That tells the story. The bonds
are there, and 'tis Philip Romeyn's daughter shall bring them to the
light."

Indeed, the banker's expression confirmed her faith. Its frenzied
eagerness had given place to a satisfied expectation, and a normal
color tinged his cheeks. But he still watched intently, saying
nothing.

"Catch them, Adrian, catch them! But hold them fast, the horrible,
accursed things!"

One after one, stooping, the exultant daughter lifted and flung them
out. The folded papers seemingly so worthless but of such value;
the little canvas bags of gold; the precious documents and vouc