For, having filled the salt-pot, he proceeded to look for the box of books among the rubbish that filled the loft.

Under a pile of sacks he found it--a rough packing-case, nailed up, but with one loose plank.

He lifted that, and saw the even backs of a row of books.

He knelt down before the box, and ran his hand along its rough edges, as if to assure himself of its existence.

He stuck his hand in among the books, and pulled out two.