The same conclusion had flashed across Mrs. Conway’s mind as soon as she heard that the room was kept locked.

“If the will is really hidden away,” she said, “it’s likely enough to be as you say; but I shouldn’t think two ladies would do such a thing as that.”

“Oh, you don’t know them,” Jane said sharply.  “They are two regular old cats they are, and hunt one about all over the house as if they thought one was going to steal something.  They was fond of their brother in their way, but, bless you, they treated him like a child, and he das’ent call his soul his own; and you may be sure they didn’t like the thought that he had left his money away from them, and that some one else would become master and missis of the Hall while they were living.  Martha and me was both of one mind that the old women were likely enough to do it if they had a chance.  I would give a good deal if I could find the will myself just to see their faces; interfering old things.  It was only two Sundays ago they told me after I came out of church that they didn’t approve of the ribbons in my bonnet; just as if a girl was to go about as if she was a convict.”

“But you say there were men searching here, Jane.  How was it they didn’t find it if it’s in the library, and how was it the Miss Penfolds allowed them to search?”

“They couldn’t help it,” Jane replied.  “There was an order from the court in London, or a judge or some one, and they couldn’t stop it.  They went away when the men came and didn’t come back till it was all over.  I don’t know how it was that they didn’t find it in the library, for they searched it regular.  I was in there two or three times while they were at work, and they took out all the books from the shelves and pulled down a lot of the wood-work and turned it all upside down, but they couldn’t find anything.  Still, you see, it ain’t a likely tale of theirs as they keeps the door locked because they want it to be just as he left it, when it’s all been turned topsy-turvy and everything put out of its place.

“That’s what Martha and me couldn’t get over, though Martha told me they done their best to have it put just as it was; and there’s paper and pens on the table, just to pretend it is exactly as it used to be and that no one hadn’t been in.  As if they cared so much about him.  I call it sickening, that’s what I calls it.  The Withers don’t come here now.  They used to be often here in the master’s time, but they are not friends with them now.  Last Sunday the parson he made it hot for them, and preached a sermon about secrets being known and undiscovered things coming to light.  Of course he didn’t say nothing special about wills, but they felt it, I could see.  Our pew’s on the opposite side of the church, and I could see their faces.  Miss Penfold she got white, and pinched up her lips, and if she could have given a piece of her mind to the parson she would have done so; and Eleanor she got red and looked as if she was going to cry.