I then called upon Mrs. Claxon.  She was a virago.  But the grave and important face that I put on when I asked if a Mrs. Miller did not once live in her house, subdued her.  After some little hesitation, she replied in the affirmative.

“I knew as much,” I said, thinking it well to let her understand from the beginning that it would not do to attempt deception.

“She died here, I believe?” I continued.

“Yes, sir; she died in my house.”

“She left some property in your hands, did she not?”

“Property?  Humph!  If you call an old bed and bedstead, with other trumpery that didn’t sell for enough to pay her back rent, property, why, then, she did leave property.”

“Of course,” I said, calmly.  “Whatever she left was property; and, of course, in taking possession of it, you did so under a regular legal process.  You took out letters of administration, I presume, and brought in your bill against the effects of the deceased, which was regularly passed by the Orphans’ Court, and paid out of the amount for which the things sold.”

The effect of this was just what I desired.  The woman looked frightened.  She had done no such thing, as I knew very well.

“If you have proceeded in this way,” I resumed, “all is well enough; but if you have not done so, I am sorry to say that you will most likely get yourself into trouble.”

“How so, sir?” she asked, with increasing alarm.

“The law is very rigid in all these matters.  When a person dies, there must be a regular administration upon his property.  The law permits no one to seize upon his effects.  In the case of Mrs. Miller, if you were legally authorized to settle her estate, you can, of course, account for all that came into your hands.  Now, I am about instituting a rigid examination into the matter, and if I do not get satisfaction, shall have you summoned to appear before the Orphans’ Court, and answer for your conduct.  Mrs. Miller was highly connected, and it is believed had papers in her possession of vital importance to the living.  These were contained in a small casket of costly and curious workmanship.  This casket, with its contents, must be produced.  Can you produce them?”

“Y-y-yes!” the alarmed creature stammered out.

“Very well.  Produce them at once, if you wish to save yourself a world of trouble.”

The woman hurried off up-stairs, and presently appeared with the casket.

“It is locked,” she said.  “I never could find the key, and did not like to force it open.  She handed me the box as she spoke.

“Yes, this is it,” I remarked, as if I was perfectly familiar with the casket.  “You are sure the contents have not been disturbed?”

“Oh yes:  very sure.”

“I trust it will be found so.  I will take possession of the casket.  In a few days you will hear from me.”