Sir Charles was still staring at him. He looked like a man who has unexpectedly got hold of some curious animal and is uncertain what it is about to do next. But after rubbing his chin a little, he spoke.
"Do I understand you to say that you have the Palkeney blood in your veins?" he inquired. "Then———"
Parslewe suddenly pointed to the table which stood in the centre of the room, signing us all to be seated at it; I noticed that he himself took the chair at its head as with an unchallengeable authority.
"Better sit down and do our business," he said. Then, as we settled round the table, Madrasia and I on his right and left hand, and Sir Charles opposite to him, he put a hand in his coat pocket, drew out the copper box, and with one of his queer smiles, set it before him. "Do you know what that is, Sperrigoe?" he asked.
Sir Charles made a wry face.
"The cause of much worry and anxiety to me, my dear sir!" he answered. "I can see what it is well enough!"
"Aye, and you want to know how I got
