“And received no reply?”

“On the contrary, he did!”

“Ah! What was it?”

“The writer said that the casket would be returned to the owner if he would pay the sum of twenty-five thousand dollars for it; that he would wait fifteen days for a reply, and that at the end of that time if Gregory did not agree, the casket would be sunk in the middle of the East river.”

How was Gregory to reply?”

“In a curious manner. He was simply to wear a blue ribbon in his buttonhole.”

“Has Gregory taken any notice of the letter?”

“No.”

“How many days have elapsed? I mean, when did he receive the letter?”

“It will be one week to-morrow.”