"I can only repeat what I have already said, Sir Benjamin," he
answered. "The--er late Mr. Marbury spoke of the deposit as being of
great value to him; he never permitted it out of his hand until he
placed it in the safe. He appeared to regard it as of the greatest
value."

"But we understand from the evidence of Mr. Criedir, given to the
_Watchman_ newspaper, that it was full of papers and--and other
articles," said the chairman. "Criedir saw papers in it about an hour
before it was brought here."

Myerst spread out his hands.

"I can only repeat what I have said, Sir Benjamin," he answered. "I
know nothing more."

"But why should a man deposit an empty box?" began the chairman. "I--"

The high official interposed.

"That the box is empty is certain," he observed. "Did you ever handle
it yourself, Mr. Myerst?"

Myerst smiled in a superior fashion.

"I have already observed, sir, that from the time the deceased entered
this room until the moment he placed the box in the safe which he
rented, the box was never out of his hands," he replied.