box to another man, who turns out to be a solicitor. I have a passage-at-arms with a coppersmith, who, I feel sure, has seen and known the copper box—I have other passages. I come home and tell Parslewe—and Parslewe flees in the night, leaving me in charge of———"
"Thank you, but he'd far better have left you in charge of me!" she said. "And don't you forget it—while he's away, I'm boss!—never mind what he said—and you've got to be as good and obedient as they make 'em! I countermand his order, so you're deposed—by me! But—I'm thinking."
"What about?" I inquired meekly.
She pointed her fork at the sideboard.
"The copper box!" she answered. "What else?"
I helped myself to more bacon, and ate for a while in silent meditation.
"Perhaps it's bewitched!" I observed at last. "Sort of Arabian Nights' business, you know."
"Don't be silly!" she commanded. "The more I think of it, the more I'm sure this is, or may be, a very serious affair. Now to
