have business to-night which, I hope, will illuminate me as to if anything was in the box or has been abstracted from it since—by Weeds—and I want you to do two or three things for me, chiefly in the way of looking after Madrasia. We'll dine early, to begin with. Then you can take her to the play—here are the tickets while I remember them. When you come back, you'll find a bit of supper in that private sitting-room. Before you go, I shall tell Madrasia that I may be very late in coming in, so after supper she'll go to bed. Now comes in a job for you! I want you to wait up, in that sitting-room, until twelve o'clock—midnight. If I'm not in by exactly twelve"—here he paused and produced a sealed envelope which he placed in my hand—"put on your overcoat, and take that round, yourself, to the police station—it's not far off—ask to see a responsible person, and hand it to him. Do you understand?"
"Every word!" said I. "But—police? Do you anticipate danger?"
"Not so much danger as difficulty, though I won't deny that there may be danger," he answered. "But do what I say. You'll find
