"Not to me," said I. "Is it still safe and sound?"
"Perfectly," he replied.
"Then I propose," said I, "that we shall have a grand inspection of it."
"Not just at present," said Edwards, "I do not think that you are strong enough."
"Look here, George," I said, "I believe that you are keeping something from me."
"I swear I am not," said he.
"Then," said I, "you are under the impression that, if I gaze on the Golden Girdle, something will go wrong with my brain."
I saw Edwards colour, and I was convinced that I had hit the nail on the head. But our conversation was interrupted by the arrival of a telegram for me. My people had already spent a mint of money in telegraphing congratulations, and in asking almost daily after my health; but the telegram which I now received contained a huge surprise. It was from my uncle, who said that he and my father had decided to come out to Baghdad and bring me home, and that I was to remain until their arrival. They were starting at once, and it was a great joy to me to think that, within five or six weeks, I should be free, and moreover, have no further responsibility for the Girdle, of which my uncle would himself be able to take charge. I now found, after a lengthy talk with my doctor, that he was painfully superstitious about the Girdle; he was evidently afraid that when it was let loose from the safe, something dreadful would happen, and I laughed at his fears. He was greatly relieved at the news that my uncle was coming out, as he did not like the idea of my going off alone with the dreadful serpent belt.
"Of course," he said, "you will not think of examining your treasure now, until your uncle arrives."
"To tell you the truth," I replied, "I intend to ask the Consul-General this afternoon if it will be convenient to him to hold the inquest on it to-morrow."