"While he made the attack in front, he sent some of his men to the rear of the vessel and it was quietly made off with while we were fighting." Had the disappearance of the box concerned himself alone Cleggett's sense of disaster might have been less poignant.

But the thought that his own carelessness had enabled the enemy to get possession of a thing likely to involve Lady Agatha in further trouble was nearly insupportable.

He gritted his teeth and clenched his hands in impotent rage.
"No doubt Loge caught sight of it during the early part of the skirmish, by a flash of lightning," said Dr.Farnsworth, "and acted as you suggest, Mr.Cleggett.

But does he believe it to be the box which contains the evidence against him?
Or can he, by any chance, be aware of its real contents ?" "No matter which," groaned Cleggett, "no matter which! For when he opens it, he will learn what is in it.

Don't you see that he has us now?
If he offers to trade it back to us for the other oblong box, how can I refuse?
If we have his secret, Loge has ours!" But Dr.Farnsworth was not listening.