Tales of Terror and Mystery
The Jew's Breastplate
"Yes,yes,gentlemen,"hepanted,"Iwillcomewithyou.Toyourroom,Mr.WardMortimer,ifyouplease!IfeelthatIoweyouanexplanation."
Mycompanion’sindignationwassogreatthatIcouldseethathedarednottrusthimselftoreply.WewalkedoneachsideoftheoldProfessor,theastonishedcommissionairebringinguptherear.Whenwereachedtheviolatedcase,Mortimerstoppedandexaminedthebreastplate.Alreadyoneofthestonesofthelowerrowhadhaditssettingturnedbackinthesamemannerastheothers.Myfriendhelditupandglancedfuriouslyathisprisoner.
"Howcouldyou!"hecried."Howcouldyou!"
"Itishorrible—horrible!"saidtheProfessor."Idon’twonderatyourfeelings.Takemetoyourroom."
"Butthisshallnotbeleftexposed!"criedMortimer.Hepickedthebreastplateupandcarriedittenderlyinhishand,whileIwalkedbesidetheProfessor,likeapolicemanwithamalefactor.WepassedintoMortimer’schambers,leavingtheamazedoldsoldiertounderstandmattersasbesthecould.TheProfessorsatdowninMortimer’sarm-chair,andturnedsoghastlyacolourthatfortheinstantallourresentmentwaschangedtoconcern.Astiffglassofbrandybroughtthelifebacktohimoncemore.
"There,Iambetternow!"saidhe."Theselastfewdayshavebeentoomuchforme.IamconvincedthatIcouldnotstanditanylonger.Itisanightmare—ahorriblenightmare—thatIshouldbearrestedasaburglarinwhathasbeenforsolongmyownmuseum.AndyetIcannotblameyou.Youcouldnothavedoneotherwise.