did it on
my own account."

"You did?" said Mr Girtle.

"Yes, sir; it took me months piecing together, as I had to do it all
from the outside, without seeing the place. I was sent abroad, and have
only just come back. Last night, however, I took out my notes and went
into it again, and I think I can say I've found the treasure."

"Found it, man?" cried Capel, interested in spite of himself. "Where?
The place was thoroughly well searched."

"Oh! yes, sir, of course."

"Then you know who took it?"

"Yes, sir; that's it."

"Who was it, then?"

"Ah! come, sir, that's better."

"Yes, yes, go on," cried Capel excitedly, and at that moment it was not
the treasure that filled his eyes, but the figure of a sweet, gentle
girl, who had watched beside his sick bed.

"Well, the fact is, gentlemen, I very soon came to the conclusion that
the great treasure had not been stolen."

"Why?" said Mr Girtle.

"No notes were put in circulation that I could find--old notes--and no
valuable jewels sold."

"To be sure, yes," said Mr Girtle. "My idea."

"That wasn't worth much, gentlemen; but I felt sure from the beginning
that the treasure was taken by someone on the premises."

"Not that couple, I'll swear," said Mr Girtle.

"Nor the servants," said Capel.

"There, sir, it's all in a nutshell," said Linnett, hesitating.

"Stop!" said Mr Girtle. "What terms do you propose for this
information?"

"Oh, sir, I wasn't hesitating about that, but because I don't like
letting it go now I've found it. It was so much trouble to find the
clue, I hardly like parting with it. But here you are, sir, and if I
may make terms, I may say I'm only a few pounds out of pocket--ten will
cover it--but I should like it if Mr Capel here would give me that
Indian knife, that kukri. I've a fancy for saving up that sort of
article."

"Take the horrible thing and welcome," said Capel impatiently.

"Well, gentlemen, I pieced together all that was published, with Doctor
Heston's notions, the servants' knowledge, and my own ideas."

"Well?"

"Well, gentlemen, it was that old Indian servant who took the treasure."

"Impossible!"

"Not a bit. He had the keys--he knew how to use them."

"He was as honest as the day," cried Mr Girtle.

"Exactly, sir, that's just it. Honesty made him take it."

"Absurd?" said Capel.

"Not a bit, sir, excuse me. He knew that fellow Pillar, the footman,
meant it. You know he had a fight with him a