Tales of Terror and Mystery

           "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.