"A locksmith, sir!" ejaculated Caw, his countenance expressing the liveliest horror.
"Of course! We must have the box opened, though we can hardly expect to find anything in it at this time of day."
"But—but my master's wishes, Mr. Alan!"
Alan suppressed a strong word. "You mean that we ought not to open it until the clock stops?"
"Sir," said Caw, "if my master meant anything when he bade me throw the key into the loch, I am sure he meant the box to remain closed until the time appointed for the ending of my service to him. Besides, he told me—"
"But hang it all! he did not foresee an emergency like this!"
"I cannot say, sir. At any rate, it is not for me to question his wisdom. I am in your service, Mr. Alan, and proud of it, but I am also in his, until the clock stops—and so I beg of you very kindly, sir, not to put me in a position that might make me seem disrespectful to the wishes of yourself or him." The little speech was delivered with such quiet dignity and withal in such frank appeal that Alan was touched.
"Upon my word, Caw," he said warmly, "you're the right sort! All the
same, it's a horribly annoying situation. I must think it over."
Suddenly, with a laugh, he turned and shook his fist at the clock.
"Confound you! can't you get a big move on?"
"If I may say so," said the servant, "I sympathise with you, Mr. Alan, regarding that clock. The only reason, I think, for its being made to go for a year was to allow time for your return. And now within a fortnight of its starting, here you are, sir, safe and sound!"
Teddy roused himself. "Is there any reason why it should not be stopped before its time?" he enquired.