Jeffrey's property. Your conduct,
therefore, strikes me in the light of an impertinence, especially
as no one could be supposed to have more interest than myself in
what has been for many years recognized as a family talisman."
"Ah," I remarked. "You own to the memorandum then. It was made
on the spot, but without the benefit of the talisman."
"I own to nothing," he snapped. Then, realizing that denial in this
regard was fatal, he added more genially: "What do you mean by
memorandum? If you mean that recapitulation of old-time mysteries
and their accompanying features with which I once whiled away an
idle hour, I own to it, of course. Why shouldn't I? It is only a
proof of my curiosity in regard to this old mystery which every
member of my family must feel. That curiosity has not been appeased.
If it would not be indiscreet on your part, may I now ask if you
have found out what that little golden ball of mine which you sport
so freely before my eyes is to be used in connection with?"
"Read the papers," I said; "read tomorrow's papers, Mr. Moore; or,
better still, tonight's. Perhaps they will inform you."
He was as angry as I had expected him to be, but as this ire proved
conclusively that his strongest emotion had been curiosity rather
than fear, I felt assured of my ground, and turned to reenter the
house.
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