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Rh where he had heard what he thought was the emerald, an ordinary brass picture hook lay on the floor. Glancing up to the moulding along which Annis had been searching with his cane, Hereford saw the mate of the hook on the floor. Was that all that Annis had found? Was Annis deceived as well as he? Was that all there was in the room to have fought for? Or were they right and the emerald was still in the room, but not found?

Hereford struggled to his feet. As he staggered, it seemed to him it was the stun of the blows of the stick rather than the absurdly less painful cut through the shoulder which dizzied him. He got the chair, managed to climb upon it, and commencing where Annis had left off, began to poke along the picture mould.