Arthur hesitated a little, more from natural
caution than anything he could urge to the contrary, and George,
noticing it, said,
"It is only right that, before you come to any decision, you should
see the map of the estate, and a copy of the deed. I have both in the
next room, if you care to come and look at them."
Arthur assented, and they went off together; Sir John, whose eyes
appeared to be a little heavy under the influence of the port,
presuming that he was not wanted. But, no sooner had the door closed,
than the worthy knight proved himself very wide-awake. Indeed, he
commenced a singular course of action. Advancing on tiptoe to the safe
in the corner of the room, he closely inspected it through his
eyeglass. Then he cautiously tried the lid of an artfully contrived
subdivision.
"Um!" he muttered, half aloud, "that's where they are; I wish I had
ten minutes."
Next he returned swiftly to the table, and, taking a piece of the soft
bread which he was eating instead of biscuit with his wine, he rapidly
kneaded it into dough, and, going to the safe, divided the material
into two portions.
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