“I truly regret, my dear madam, that the search should have been so unsuccessful, and can only say, that all that could be done has been done.  That the will is concealed somewhere I have not a shadow of doubt, unless, of course, it has been torn up before this.  As to that I give no opinion; and, indeed, as it is a matter in which women are concerned, your judgment as to the probabilities is much more likely to be correct than mine.  As I expected, my business connection with the family has come to an end.  The Miss Penfolds have appointed another agent, who has written to me requesting me to hand over all papers connected with the property.  This, of course, I shall do.  I need hardly say that in no case could I have consented to act for those whom I consider to be unlawful possessors of the property.  In conclusion, I can only say that my services will at all times be at your disposal.”

Mrs. Conway was scarcely disappointed at the receipt of this letter, for she had quite made up her mind that the will would not be found.  These women had clearly made up their minds to deprive Ralph and Mabel of their rights, and unless they had felt perfectly satisfied that no search would discover the hiding-place of the will, they would not improbably have taken it, and either destroyed it or concealed it in some fresh place where the searchers would never be likely to look for it.  She did not think it likely, therefore, that the hiding-place would be discovered, and she felt assured that were it discovered it would be found empty.

“Very well,” she said, in a quiet, determined voice, as she laid down the letter.  “Mr. Tallboys has failed.  Now, I shall take up the matter.  I dare say you think that you have won, Miss Penfold; that you are now mistress beyond dispute of Herbert’s property.  You will see the battle has only just begun.  It will last, I can tell you, all your lives or mine.”

A week later an altogether unexpected event took place.  When Mr. and Mrs. Withers were at breakfast a letter arrived from Mr. Littleton, now solicitor to the Miss Penfolds.  Upon opening it it was found to contain an offer upon the part of the Miss Penfolds to settle the sum of a hundred a year for life upon Mabel, upon the condition only that the allowance would be stopped upon her marriage, unless that marriage received the approval, in writing, of the Miss Penfolds.  The letter was addressed to Mr. Withers, and after reading it through he passed it to his wife without a word.  She was too surprised to say anything for a moment, especially as Mabel was in the room, and she laid the letter beside her until breakfast was over and Mabel had gone out.

“Well, James, what do you think of it?” she asked.

“What do you think of it yourself?” he replied.

Mrs. Withers hesitated, and then said:  “Well, James, it is a sort of thing that requires so much thinking about that I have scarcely had time to turn it over in my mind yet, especially with Mabel there eating her breakfast opposite, and having no idea that this letter contained anything of such importance to her.  I would really rather hear what you think about it.”  Mr. Withers remained silent, and she went on:  “Of course it would be a very nice thing for Mabel to have such a provision for life.”