my friend's
complaint, I soon saw by the depth of his professional interest that
whatever connection he might have with the box, neither that nor any
other topic whatever could for a moment vie with his delight in a new
and strange case like that of my poor friend. I consequently entered
into the medical details demanded of me with a free mind and succeeded
in getting some very valuable advice, for which I was of course truly
grateful.

As soon as this was accomplished I took my leave, but not by the usual
door of egress. Saying that I had left my hat in the ante-room, I bowed
my acknowledgments to the doctor and returned the way I came. But not
without meeting with a surprise. There was still but one person in the
room with the box, but that person was not the man with the bristling
mustache and determined eye whom I had expected to find there. It was
the pretty, Quaker-like girl who had formerly aroused my suspicions; and
though she sat far from the box, a moment's glance at her flushed face
and trembling hands assured me she had but that moment left it.

Going at once to the box, I saw that my hat had been moved. But more
significant still was the hairpin lying on the floor at my feet, with
a morsel of wax sticking to one of its points. This was conclusive. The
man had discovered why his key would not work, and had called to his aid
the young lady, who had evidently been waiting in the hall outside.

She had tried to pick out the wax--a task in which I had happily
interrupted her.

Proud of the success of my device, and satisfied that the danger was
over for that day (it being well on to twelve o'clock), I said a few
words more to the doctor, who had followed me into the room, and then
prepared to take my departure. But the young lady was more agile than I.
Saying something about a very pressing engagement which would not allow
her to consult the doctor that day, she hurried ahead of me and ran
quickly down the long hall. The doctor looked astonished, but dismissed
the matter with a shrug; while, with the greatest desire to follow her,
I stood hesitating on the threshold, when my eye fell on a small object
lying under the chair on which she had been sitting. It was the little
leathern bag I had seen hanging at her side.

Catching it up, I explained that I would run after the young lady and
restore it; and glad of an excuse which would enable me to follow her
through the streets without risking the suspicion of