He was surprised when he heard the name and rank of his visitor, and above all when he understood his errand.
"A small oaken box with brass clasps ?" he said.

"No; I have nothing of the kind in my possession; but, if your lordship will wait, I will have a search made at once." Every drawer, desk, and recess were examined in vain.

There was no trace of either the box or the papers.
"I have an inventory of everything the doctor's house contained--it was taken the day after his death," said Mr.Grey; "we can look through that." Item after item was most carefully perused.

The list contained no mention of a small oaken box.

It was quite plain that box and papers had both disappeared.
"Could the doctor have given them into Mrs.Dornham's charge ?" asked the earl.
"No," replied the rector--"I should say certainly not.