I trust I did not disturb your repose. I found, this morning,
in your safe in your house this pretty little casket sent
you from your English namesake. I have seen it often before,
but wanted another squint at it, and I have brought it to
your office lest some burglar might steal it from your house.
I noticed your wife's watch lying around loose in your
sleeping-room, which is of no great value--to me,--and I
contented myself with the charms, which I will put into your
steel chest, here in the office, for safe keeping against the
time of my need. The putting a yoke on the keys of your door,
so I could not turn them with the nippers, was all useless.
The chair poised against your sleeping-room door gave me a
deal of trouble, and I could not put it back as I found it.
Please excuse me. The thread on the stairs attached to an
alarm-bell might as well have been omitted. The old-fashioned
fork against the bolt I put back as I found it, and came out
by the dining-room window. Your portfolio you will find
between the beds on which you were sleeping. It took me half
an hour to make you turn over so I could do it. George Waters
is my counsel, to whom I have committed my case. He will
arrange the evidence. Unless you eat your own words, you will
sit beside him and ask the jury if they believe the case is
made out beyond a reasonable doubt, for I know better than
you the weight of your character. I shall be in jail by
breakfast-time.