A valet. With me for ten years. He
was really my comrade; always my right-hand on my exploration trips;
back-boned, fearless, reliable in a pinch, and a scholar in a way;
though I can't imagine how and where he picked up his learning. He
saved my life at least twice by his quick wit. In those days I was
something of a stick; never went out. I hired him upon his word and
because he looked honest. And he was for ten years. He gave his name
as Mason, said he was born in central New York. We got along without
friction of any sort. And I still miss him. Stole a hundred thousand
dollars' worth of gems; hid them in the heels of my old shoes and
nearly got away with them. Haggerty, the detective, thought for weeks
that I was the man. I still believe that I was the innocent cause of
Mason's relapse; for Haggerty was certain that somewhere in the past
Mason had been a criminal. You see, I had a peculiar fad. I used to
buy up old safes and open them for the sport of it. Crazy idea, but I
found a good deal of amusement in it."
"You don't say!" gasped Killigrew, who had never heard of this phase
before.
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