"
"I am ready to do so," said Roland Reed, quietly. "Is that
the box on the table?"
"It is."
"Has it been opened?"
"No; the key has disappeared from the bank."
"The key is in the hands of the owner, where it properly belongs.
With the permission of the court, I will open the box."
"I object," said Squire Duncan, quickly.
"Permit me to say that your refusal is extraordinary," said
Mr. Beane, pointedly. "You ask the witness to prove property,
and then decline to allow him to do so."
Squire Duncan, who saw that he had been betrayed into a piece
of folly, said sullenly: "I don't agree with you, Mr. Beane,
but I withdraw my objection. The witness may come forward and
open the box, if he can."
Roland Reed bowed slightly, advanced to the table, took a
bunch of keys from his pocket, and inserting one of the smallest
in the lock easily opened the box.
Those who were near enough, including the justice, craned
their necks forward to look into the box.
The box contained papers, certificates of stock, apparently, and
a couple of bank-books.
"The box missing from the vault contained government bonds,
as I understand, Squire Duncan?" said the lawyer.
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