Montague's eye and memory, when she hastily gathered up the
scattered treasures and rearranged them in the secret compartment of the
table.
Thus it had come into Ray's possession just at a time when it was most
needed and desired.
Regaining his composure somewhat, he read it carefully through from
beginning to end.
"How could it have come to be in such a strange place, and to fall into
my hands?" he said, the look of wonder still on his face. "She--that
woman must have had it in her possession, even as Mona suspected, and by
some mistake or oversight dropped and forgot it. Shall I tell her I have
found it? Shall I return it and then demand it from her?" he questioned,
his innate sense of honor recoiling from everything that seemed
dishonorable. "No," he continued, sternly, "it is not hers--she has no
right whatever to it; it belongs to Mona alone, for it is the proof of
her birthright. I will take it directly to Mr. Corbin, and I will not
even tell Mona until I have first confided in him."
With a resolute purpose written on his fine face, Ray carefully put the
document away in an inner pocket; then donning his coat and hat, quietly
left the house.
The last postal delivery of that same evening brought to Mrs.
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