The wall-hangings first engaged Durham's attention. He moved
them aside systematically, one after another, seeking for any
hiding-place, but failing to find one. The door communicating
with the outer office he found to be locked, but he did not
believe for a moment that the office would be worthy of
inspection.
There were cases containing jewelled weapons and cups and goblets
inlaid with precious stones, but none of these seemed to have
been tampered with, and all were locked, as was the big cabinet
filled with snuff bottles.
Many of the larger pieces about the place contained drawers and
cupboards, and these he systematically opened one after another,
without making any discovery of note. Some of the cupboards
contained broken pieces of crockery, and more or less damaged
curios of one kind and another, but none of them gave him the
clue for which he was seeking.
He examined the couch upon which Huang Chow had been seated when
first he had met him, but although he searched it scientifically
he was rewarded by no discovery.
A very fusty and unpleasant smell was more noticeable at this
point than elsewhere in the room, and he found himself staring
speculatively up the wide, carpeted stairs.
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