various and many treasures. Within five minutes we had satisfied ourselves, and stood looking questioningly at each other. We had reason; the books specified in the advertisement were all there! Every one of them!—book-plates and all.
"What next?" muttered Madrasia at last. "Of course, we musn't tell him!"
She nodded at the floor, indicating the spot beneath which Mr. Weech was sipping his drink and nibbling biscuits.
"Tell him nothing!" said I. "But, let him tell us! Come down!"
We went down again; Mr. Weech looked very comfortable.
"We should like to hear more of your very interesting story, Mr. Weech," I said. "You got to the point where Bickerdale showed you this advertisement. What happened after that?"
"Why, this," he answered, evidently more ready to talk than ever. "Bickerdale and I consulted. He was all for writing to these lawyers at once, denouncing Mr. Parslewe as the thief. I said, metaphorically, you know—that he was an ass; it was much more likely
