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. This, of course, I shall do. I
need hardly say that in no case could I have consented to act for
those whom I consider to be unlawful possessors of the property. In
conclusion, I can only say that my services will at all times be at
your disposal."
Mrs. Conway was scarcely disappointed at the receipt of this letter,
for she had quite made up her mind that the will would not be found.
These women had clearly made up their minds to deprive Ralph and Mabel
of their rights, and unless they had felt perfectly satisfied that no
search would discover the hiding-place of the will, they would not
improbably have taken it, and either destroyed it or concealed it in
some fresh place where the searchers would never be likely to look for
it.
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