Then they drove to the bank, thinking that, perhaps, for greater security, he might have deposited it there.

No such thing had been heard of.

Plainly enough, the papers had disappeared; both the earl and the rector were puzzled.
"They can be of no possible use to any one but myself," said Lord Mountdean.

"Now that my poor father is dead and cannot be distressed about it, I shall tell the whole world--if it cares to listen--the story of my marriage.

If I had wanted to keep that or the birth of my child a secret, I could have understood the papers being stolen by one wishing to trade with them.