I had four carpenters and two masons with me, and I think we tapped every square foot of wall in the house, took down the wainscotting wherever there was the slightest hollow sound, lifted lots of the flooring, and even wrenched up several of the hearthstones, but could find nothing whatever, except that there was a staircase leading from behind the wainscotting in Mr.Penfold's room to a door covered with ivy, and concealed from view by bushes to the left of the house; but the ivy had evidently been undisturbed for fifty years or so, this passage, even if known to Mr.Penfold, had certainly not been used in his time.
"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.