Lamont Cranston had collected many curios. Hunting spears from the Amazon; tiger heads from India; odd tapestries from China. The den was a veritable museum; but it possessed unusual features which impressed Savette.
Every object had a history. This tapestry had hung in the imperial palace at Peking. This lota bowl was the gift of a Hindu fakir in Benares. That rifle was a present from a squat Boer who had carried it against the British in South Africa. Skins, rugs, silken ropes — all were spread about the room in abundance.
"Marvelous!" exclaimed Savette, as he listened to Cranston's brief explanations of what the objects signified.
"Marvelous, tonight — yes," declared Cranston. "Tomorrow — just so many more items in storage. That is my one regret, doctor. I hate to see these objects put away."
"I do not blame you."
Cranston detected a glow in the physician's eyes. He became thoughtful; then spoke in a quiet tone.
"Perhaps you would like to keep some of these trifles," he said. "If so, you are welcome to any of them for which you may have a place."
"I could not think of it!" exclaimed Savette.
"Why not?" asked Cranston.
"I would be responsible for their safety," rejoined the physician. "Suppose that something happened to them while—"