"That which I am about to show you, Michael, is what no eye save mine hath seen except one other. Yours will make a third; which goes to prove how thoroughly I trust you."
Unbuttoning his vest, he brought forth a curious-looking key, which hung by a narrow ribbon from his neck. With this he solemnly unlocked the box, and having thrown the lid back, laid it again upon the table. 'Twas lined with purple velvet, and, so far as I could see, contained two separate papers neatly tied with silk. The undermost of these he took out first and laid it on the table.
"Read that," he said, "and tell me what you think of it."
Greatly wondering, I undid the cord and scanned the contents of the paper. Then my hand shook, for this is what I read:
"Know all men, that our eldest and well-beloved child, James, Duke of Monmouth, is our rightful heir, in proof whereof we herewith give the marriage contract made between his mother, Lucy Walters, and ourselves.
"Given at our Palace of Whitehall, this sixteenth day of August, in the Year of Grace 1679.
"CHARLES R."
"Well, what think you of it?" asked my father, as our eyes met.
"Why," I answered eagerly, "it proves exactly what I said: that Monmouth is the rightful King of England."
"Ah! you say so," quoth my father grimly. "Now read this."