"I don't."

"Forewarned is forearmed. Tell me if you will--it is for your own
protection. Why do you mistrust him?"

"My friend, you have no idea of that man's impudence. Would you believe
that he wants me to marry him?"

"No!" said Adam incredulously, amused in spite of himself.

"Yes, and wanted to bribe me to do it by sharing a chest of treasure--at
least, he thought it was--stolen from Mr. Caswall. Why do you distrust
him, Mr. Salton?"

"Did you notice that box he had slung on his shoulder? That belongs to
me. I left it in the gun-room when I went to lunch. He must have crept
in and stolen it. Doubtless he thinks that it, too, is full of
treasure."

"He does!"

"How on earth do you know?" asked Adam.

"A little while ago he offered to give it to me--another bribe to accept
him. Faugh! I am ashamed to tell you such a thing. The beast!"

Whilst they had been speaking, she had opened the door, a narrow iron
one, well hung, for it opened easily and closed tightly without any
creaking or sound of any kind. Within all was dark; but she entered as