J. J. Bell

“ Joan still shrank at the mention of Mrs. Lismore; perhaps the memory would always rankle. In silence she turned to the window, while the other continued:
“And never a trace of the Stormont person since he attended that inquest and got complimented on his evidence, and afterward went to his office and dismissed the boy with a gold-piece extra! Do you think he can be alive? Think of it! All his creditors paid, even the horrid revenue people, and two hundred thousand or so in the bank waiting for him! Well, it serves him right if he's in want somewhere!”
Joan sighed—then smiled. ”

“ Grant briefly introduced him to Fairthorn. They bowed politely, and then Stormont directed attention to his handiwork.
“Well,” he said, “shall we go ahead? I've cleared the dirt from around the stone, and here is a trusty lever!”
As Grant and Fairthorn went forward to assist, Joan moved into the background and leaned against a bench. When the stone was raised and Stormont's voice exclaimed “At last!” she did not move, but her hand went to her heart.
“Why,” said Fairthorn, flashing an electric torch downward, “it's a steel room! Come and see, Miss March!” ”

“ CHAPTER XX The Treasure at Last BECAUSE of his desperate haste Stormont had made an error in his first measurements. Consequently he had been compelled to dispose of several square yards of cement, whereas one would have sufficed, before he laid bare the flagstone. When Joan and the two men entered, they found him greatly exhausted, covered with dust, his hands bleeding. Yet he nodded pleasantly to Grant, saying:
“So we meet at Elm House after all!” ”