"
"I am ready to do so," said Roland Reed, quietly. "Is that the box
on the table?"
"It is."
"Has it been opened?"
"No; the key has disappeared from the bank."
"The key is in the hands of the owner, where it properly belongs.
With the permission of the court, I will open the box."
"I object," said Squire Duncan, quickly.
"Permit me to say that your refusal is extraordinary," said Mr.
Beane, pointedly. "You ask the witness to prove property, and
then decline to allow him to do so."
Squire Duncan, who saw that he had been betrayed into a piece of
folly, said sullenly: "I don't agree with you, Mr. Beane, but I
withdraw my objection. The witness may come forward and open the
box, if he can."
Roland Reed bowed slightly, advanced to the table, took a bunch of
keys from his pocket, and inserting one of the smallest in the lock
easily opened the box.
Those who were near enough, including the justice, craned their
necks forward to look into the box.
The box contained papers, certificates of stock, apparently, and
a couple of bank-books.
"The box missing from the vault contained government bonds,
as I understand, Squire Duncan?" said the lawyer.
"Yes," answered the justice, reluctantly.
"Are there any government bonds in the box, Mr. Reed."
"You can see for yourself, sir."
The manner of the witness toward the lawyer was courteous,
though in the tone in which he addressed the court there had
been a scarcely veiled contempt.
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