He ransacked the house, discovering the missing antique at last by accident.

Passing his father's closed door on tiptoe, Bibbs heard a murmurous sound, and paused to listen.

The sound proved to be a quavering and rickety voice, monotonously bleating: "The Lo-ord givuth and the Lo-ord takuth away! We got to remember that; we got to remember that! I'm a-gittin' along, James; I'm a-gittin' along, and I've seen a-many of 'em go--two daughters and a son the Lord give me, and He has taken all away.

For the Lo-ord givuth and the Lo-ord takuth away! Remember the words of Bildad the Shuhite, James.

Bildad the Shuhite says, 'He shall have neither son nor nephew among his people, nor any remaining in his dwellings.' Bildad the Shuhite--" Bibbs opened the door softly.