The lock itself seemed to be impregnable to one without a key.
Conniston's name was heavily engraved on a copper tablet just above the
lock.
Keith regarded the chest with swiftly growing speculation. It was not a
thing one would ordinarily possess. It was an object which, on the face
of it, was intended to be inviolate except to its master key, a holder
of treasure, a guardian of mystery and of precious secrets. In the
little cabin up on the Barren Conniston had said rather indifferently,
"You may find something among my things down there that will help you
out." The words flashed back to Keith. Had the Englishman, in that
casual and uncommunicative way of his, referred to the contents of this
chest? Was it not possible that it held for him a solution to the
mystery that was facing him in the presence of Mary Josephine? A sense
of conviction began to possess him. He examined the lock more closely
and found that with proper tools it could be broken.
He finished dressing and completed his toilet by brushing his beard. On
account of Mary Josephine he found himself regarding this hirsute
tragedy with a growing feeling of disgust, in spite of the fact that it
gave him an appearance rather distinguished and military.
Pages:
107
108
109
110
111
112
113
114
115
116
117
118
119
120
121
122
123
124
125
126
127
128
129
130
131