drove up to the Crown, when I was out, and left for me a parcel. It contained this copper box, which has been in the family for I don't know how long, and some six or seven old books which I had admired—a nice present. I wrote him a nice letter in return, and carried my present home. Not knowing, mind you," added Parslewe, with a sudden keen look, "what this box contained."
Sir Charles was getting keenly attentive. He looked like a man who has become sure that something is going to be sprung on him.
"My dear sir!" he said. "What did it contain?"
Parslewe picked up the copper box and tapped it significantly.
"I never knew that it contained anything until some thirty-six hours ago!" he answered. "I never should have known if you fellows hadn't made such a fuss about it. But when you did—when I found out from Craye here that you yourself were on the prowl, there in Northumberland, and after me—well, I naturally began to put two and two together. And it seemed to me that the secret lay with that man Bickerdale, to whom I'd entrusted
