"No!" he said, "I cannot do that! I am, for the present at all events, practically bound to secrecy regarding any of the things in Mr.Trelawny's room." Doctor Winchester's comment and my own were made at the same moment.

I said only the one word "Checkmate!" from which I think he may have gathered that I guessed more of his idea and purpose than perhaps I had intentionally conveyed to him.

He murmured: "Practically bound to secrecy ?" Mr.Corbeck at once took up the challenge conveyed: "Do not misunderstand me! I am not bound by any definite pledge of secrecy; but I am bound in honour to respect Mr.Trelawny's confidence, given to me, I may tell you, in a very large measure.

Regarding many of the objects in his room he has a definite purpose in view; and it would not be either right or becoming for me, his trusted friend and confidant, to forestall that purpose.

Mr.Trelawny, you may know--or rather you do not know or you would not have so construed my remark--is a scholar, a very great scholar.