"I know it. I've come all the way from town to fetch 'em," the burglar answered.
Sir John was surprised. "It's a long way and a dangerous mission for such an object."
"Isn't it?" said the burglar, with provoking complacency.
"And may I ask how you come to know of them?" asked Sir John, whose curiosity was aroused.
"I don't mind telling you, since I've got them safe. You opened this box for a particular guest at the Chamber of Commerce dinner a month ago."
"Lord Ribston?"
"Yes; he spoke about them at the Burglars' Club. It was my turn, and here I am—don't you see?"
"The Burglars' Club!" exclaimed Sir John, in much surprise. "I've never heard of such an institution. And pray what has Lord Ribston, an ex-Cabinet Minister, to do with it?"
"He's one of us," the burglar explained. "You see, we are men who've pretty well exhausted the pleasures of life. We've all been in the Army or the Navy, all of us are sportsmen, and we are bachelors; so there isn't much excitement left for us. We've started a Burglars' Club to help things on a bit. The entrance fee is a town burglary, the subject to be set by our President, and every other year each member has to keep up his subscription by a provincial line. 'Sir John Carder's prime cigars by Wednesday,' was the item fixed for me at our club meeting last week, and I've got 'em easy," said the burglar, with much professional complacency.
"You astonish me," Sir John said. "In fact, I've never heard a more amazing thing in my life. But isn't it rather risky, telling me all this?"