'Put it back in the tomb.'
I had great difficulty in suppressing my ridicule, but I merely said, 'That would be, as I have told you, to insure its being stolen again.'
'There is the promise to the dead man or woman on whose breast it lay.'
'This I intend to keep in the spirit like a reasonable man—not in the letter like—'
'Promises to the dead must be kept to the letter, or no peace can come to the bereaved heart. You are talking to a man who knows!'
'I will commit no such outrage upon reason as to place a priceless jewel in a place where I know it will be stolen.'
'You will replace the cross in that tomb.'
As he spoke he shook my hands warmly, and said, 'Au revoir.
Remember, I shall always be delighted to see you.'
It was not till I saw him disappear amongst the crowd that I could give way to the laughter which I had so much difficulty in suppressing. What a relief it was to be able to do this!