The whole thing seemed to me extremely curious.
"Forgive my asking the question," I said, "but do you mind telling me why you want to visit Bath?"
He considered for some moments, passing his hand across his forehead, which was clammy with perspiration.
"Before I answer that question," he said at last, "I should like to ask you another.
"I understand that you have met the lady who entrusted you with the casket which you have given me, at a certain house in a street called Monmouth Street in the town of Bath?"
"Yes, that is so," I answered.
"Are you aware that there was a safe in that house. A steel safe of peculiar workmanship?"
"Yes," I replied, "I have seen it and opened it. I told you so."
"Ah! then you can tell me," he cried excitedly, "what was in the safe?"
"I'm afraid I cannot; I opened the safe at the request of the old lady, who, at that time, was lying sorely wounded on her bed. I opened it hastily, took out what I was directed to take by a note within, then closed the safe again."