He spoke with a fine edge of authority in his voice, as a man speaks who
feels himself superior to his circumstances and companions. He did not
look at the men as he spoke, for he was not yet sure whether they gave
him the credence for which he would not sue, and he did not care to see
if they derided him.

"I sink," said Turriff, speaking slowly in English now,--"I sink we
cannot make that mee-rácle be done."

"What miracle?" asked Trenholme.

Those of the men who understood any English laughed.

"Se mirácle to make dis genteel-man, M. Saul, fetch se box."

Trenholme then saw that Saul's shudderings had come, upon him again at
the mere suggestion.

"What am I to do, then?" he asked.

At this the men had a good deal of talk, and Turrif interpreted the
decision.

"We sink it is for M. Bates to say what shall be done wit se box. We
sink we take se liberté to say to sis man--'Stay here till some one go
to-morrow and fetch M. Bates.'"

This struck Trenholme as just, and any objection he felt to spending the
night under the same roof with the mysterious coffin did not seem worth
remark.