'"
The detective heard all these strange revelations, and he made
up his mind that there was a big job falling into his hands.
"You say you have searched for the box?"
"Yes."
"And never found it or gained any clew as to its whereabouts?"
"Never."
"Has Renie any knowledge of the box?"
"I don't know whether my wife ever made a confidant of the
child."
"Has the girl ever spoken of it?"
"Never."
"And you have never mentioned it to her?"
"Never."
"Who was with your wife when she died?"
"Renie."
"She may have made a final revelation to the girl!"
"I think not."
"How long has your wife been dead?"
"Three years."
"Tom Pearce, all you tell me makes me anxious to take
charge of the girl; but tell me all the circumstances under
which she came to be placed in your charge."
After a moment's thought the old man said:
"I will."
"One calm winter's day, the boating men hereabouts were
surprised to see a handsome and trim-built yacht come sailing
through the channel; and running up the bay to a good
anchorage, she let go her iron and lay like a great swan on
the water.
"A short time afterward, a foreign-looking man was landed on
the beach, and he strolled around among the fishermen's buts
and only spoke when addressed by some of the fishermen; but I
tell you his great black eyes were busy glancing around. No
one knew at the time what he was looking for, but it was
evident he was searching for something, and my wife and I
later on were the only ones who fell into the mystery.
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