The effect of parents' worries—and often of their arguments—on their children is an important theme in the novel. Although Anthony's parents are loving, caring individuals, they are clearly unaware of how strongly their worries are being communicated to their son. The negative effect of those concerns might well serve as a warning to parents who do not realize that their supposedly hidden conflicts are sensed by their children.

There is also a moral issue involved in Anthony's search. He has no more right to Alpheus Winterborn's legacy than does his foe, Hugo Philpotts, and both he and Miss Eells do things that border on illegal to gain the fortune. Miss Eells persuades a friendly auctioneer to swing the bidding in Anthony's favor on an antique that contains a clue to the fortune's location, despite the fact that Philpotts is willing to bid...