Breathlessly she listened. Presently she heard a sharp click in the
wall behind her. She had scarcely time to wonder what this meant when
she heard a sound in the lock close to her. It was repeated again and
again. Then she felt a slight tremor of the door as if somebody was
trying to shake it. Her heart almost stood still. Miss Penfold was
evidently trying to open the chamber; and, though she knew the lock
could not open so long as she held the pistol in the place, she felt
her breath coming fast and her heart beating. For five minutes the
attempts to open the door continued. Then all was still again.
For half an hour she remained without moving; then, as all continued
quiet, she guessed that Miss Penfold, finding the springs did not act,
had returned to her room. She now rose to her feet, drew out her dark
lantern, and turned to the wall by her side. She gave an exclamation
of joy--the stone that she had so long vainly endeavored to move was
swung open. Miss Penfold who of course had the secret, had touched the
spring outside before attempting to open the chamber, and the stone,
which was set in iron, had swung open on a hinge. In a moment Mrs.
Conway explored the contents. The closet was about two feet square by
nine inches in depth, and contained two shelves. There were several
papers in it, and the very first upon which she placed her hand was
marked "The Last Will and Testament of Herbert Penfold.
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