"We have thought of it," replied Hiram Singh, who always acted as spokesman for the pair. "If the Presence will deign to look, he will see that we have made a box of the size and shape as he drew upon the paper."
"Yes, it is certainly a good copy," said Carne condescendingly, after he had examined it.
Wajib Baksh showed his white teeth in appreciation of the compliment, and Hiram Singh drew closer to the table.
"And now, if the Sahib will open it, he will in his wisdom be able to tell if it resembles the other that he has in his mind."
Carne opened the box as requested, and discovered that the interior was an exact counterfeit of the Duchess of Wiltshire's jewel case, even to the extent of the quilted leather lining which had been the other's principal feature. He admitted that the likeness was all that could be desired.
"As he is satisfied," said Hiram Singh, "it may be that the Protector of the Poor will deign to try an experiment with it. See, here is a comb. Let it be placed in the box, so--now he will see what he will see."
The broad, silver-backed comb, lying upon his dressing-table, was placed on the bottom of the box. the lid was closed, and the key turned in the lock. The case being securely fastened, Hiram Singh laid it before his master.
"I am to open it, I suppose?" said Carne, taking the key and replacing it in the lock.
"If my master pleases," replied the other.
Carne accordingly turned it in the lock, and, having done so, raised the lid and looked inside. His astonishment was complete. To all intents and purposes the box was empty. The comb was not to be seen, and yet the quilted sides and bottom were, to all appearances, just the same as when he had first looked inside.