I am prepared to leave it with you as my security.' "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some perplexity from it to my illustrious client.
"'You doubt its value ?' he asked.
"'Not at all.

I only doubt--' "'The propriety of my leaving it.

You may set your mind at rest about that.

I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it.

It is a pure matter of form.