Free A Prince of Swindlers by Guy Boothby Page B

leather, as I have also shown. Think now, Wajib Baksh, for in this case thou wilt need to have all thy wits about thee. Tell me is it in thy power, oh most cunning of all craftsmen, to insert such extra sides within this box that they, being held by a spring, shall lie so snug as not to be noticeable to the ordinary eye? Can it be so arranged that, when the box is locked, they shall fall flat upon the bottom, thus covering and holding fast what lies beneath them, and yet making the box appear to the eye as if it were empty. Is it possible for thee to do such a thing?”
    Wajib Baksh did not reply for a few moments. His instinct told him what his master wanted, and he was not disposed to answer hastily, for he also saw that his reputation as the most cunning craftsman in India was at stake.
    â€œIf the Heaven-born will permit me the night for thought,” he said at last, “I will come to him when he rises from his bed and tell him what I can do, and he can then give his orders as it pleases him.”
    â€œVery good,” said Carne. “Then to-morrow morning I shall expect thy report. Let the work be good, and there will be many rupees for thee to touch in return. As to the lock and the way it shall act, let that be the concern of Hiram Singh.”
    Wajib Baksh salaamed and withdrew, and Simon Carne for the time being dismissed the matter from his mind.
    Next morning, while he was dressing, Belton reported that the two artificers desired an interview with him. He ordered them to be admitted, and forthwith they entered the room. It was noticeable that Wajib Baksh carried in his hand a heavy box, which, upon Carne’s motioning him to do so, he placed upon the table.
    â€œHave ye thought over the matter?” he asked, seeing that the men waited for him to speak.
    â€œWe have thought of it,” replied Hiram Singh, who always acted as spokesman for the pair. “If the Presence will deign to look, he will see that we have made a box of the size and shape such as he drew upon the paper.”
    â€œYes, it is certainly a good copy,” said Carne condescendingly, after he had examined it.
    Wajib Baksh showed his white teeth in appreciation of the compliment, and Hiram Singh drew closer to the table.
    â€œAnd now, if the Sahib will open it, he will in his wisdom be able to tell if it resembles the other that he has in his mind.”
    Carne opened the box as requested, and discovered that the interior was an exact counterfeit of the Duchess of Wiltshire’s jewel case, even to the extent of the quilted leather lining which had been the other’s principal feature. He admitted that the likeness was all that could be desired.
    â€œAs he is satisfied,” said Hiram Singh, “it may be that the Protector of the Poor will deign to try an experiment with it. See, here is a comb. Let it be placed in the box, so— now he will see what he will see.”
    The broad, silver-backed comb, lying upon his dressing-table, was placed on the bottom of the box, the lid was closed, and the key turned in the lock. The case being securely fastened, Hiram Singh laid it before his master.
    â€œI am to open it, I suppose?” said Carne, taking the key and replacing it in the lock.
    â€œIf my master pleases,” replied the other.
    Carne accordingly turned it in the lock, and, having done so, raised the lid and looked inside. His astonishment was complete. To all intents and purposes the box was empty. The comb was not to be seen, and yet the quilted sides and bottom were, to all appearances, just the same as when he had first looked inside.
    â€œThis is most wonderful,” he said. And indeed it was as clever a conjuring trick as any he had ever seen.
    â€œNay, it is very simple,” Wajib Baksh replied. “The Heaven-born told me that there must be no risk of detection.”
    He took the box in his own hands and, running his nails down the centre of the quilting, dividing the