"I have not had it in my hand for--oh, I cannot tell how long--months and months, until this morning.

I wanted to refer to it then, and got it out.

I was looking it over when a rough, ill-bred fellow burst the door open----" "I heard of that," interrupted Jan.

"Cheese told me." "He burst the door open, and I put the paper back in its place before I spoke to him," continued Dr.West.

"Half an hour ago I went to take it out again, and I found it had disappeared." "The fellow must have walked it off," cried Jan, a conclusion not unnatural.
"He could not," said Dr.West; "it is quite an impossibility.