Enough of that. Now for the favour I ask.
Will you go at once to Brookhollow, go to Ruhannah’s house, open it, take from it a chest made of olive wood and bound with some metal which looks like silver, lock the box, take it to New York, place it in a safe deposit vault until you can sail for Paris on the first steamer that leaves New York?
Will you do this—get the box I have described and bring it to me yourself on the first steamer that sails?
And, Jim, keep your eye on the box. Don’t trust anybody near it. Rue says that, as she recollects, the box is about the size and shape of a suitcase and that it has a canvas and leather cover with a handle which buttons over it.
Therefore, you can carry it yourself exactly as though it were your suitcase, keep it with you in the train and on shipboard.
Will you do this, Jim? It is much to ask of you. I break in upon your work and cause you great inconvenience and trouble and expense. But—will you do it for me?
Much depends upon your doing this. I think that possibly the welfare of your own country might depend on your doing this for me.
If you find yourself embarrassed financially, cable me just one word, “Black,” and I shall arrange matters through a New York bank.
If you feel that you do not care to do me this favour, cable the single word, “White.”
If you have sufficient funds, and are willing to bring the box to me yourself, cable the word, “Blue.”