"Father's precious cabinet?"
"He never opens it; the drawers are empty; the key is in the lock."
Together they approached the cabinet, one of the "gems." Upon the top of it stood the K'ang He mirror-black jar much beloved by Quinney. James opened the cabinet, almost more beautiful within than without. He indicated a drawer.
"Pop your letters into that. Then lock the cabinet and hide the key in the mirror-black bottle."
"What a splendid idea!"
"Isn't it? If he misses the key, you will be asked to find it, and you will find it. Then we can choose another pillar-box. You will post your letters, dearest, in the morning, when you are dusting here. In the middle of the day, while you are lunching, I shall get your letter and post one of my own. That way we run no risks at all."
"You are quite wonderful!"
Susan had used the same words to her Joe twenty years before.
CHAPTER XVII
INTRODUCES CYRUS P. HUNSAKER