Surely it would be safer with you!" He smiled grimly.
"You do not know my friends," he said.

"Remember that in my possession is not only the document which must cause them to abandon their great scheme of attack upon me, but also that that same document, if made proper use of, means ruin and ridicule for them.

New York is a civilized city, it is true, but money can buy the assassin's pistol to-day as easily as it bought the bravo's knife a few hundred years ago.

Have you ever thought of the number of unexplained, if not undetected crimes you read of continually, in which the victims are generally rich men?
Perhaps not, and you need not worry your little head about it, but take my word for it, the keys are safer with you." Virginia laid her hand tremulously upon the locket.
"They shall be safe," she said, "but tell me this.

I am never to give them up to any one but you ?" "Never under any conditions," he answered.
"Not even," she asked, "if any one should bring a written message from you ?" "Distrust it," he answered.