"My dear," said Mr. Greene, turning to his wife, "you should never
mention the contents of your luggage to any one."

"I never will again," said Mrs. Greene, with a mock repentant air,
"but I really thought--"

"One never can be sure of sharpers," said Mr. Greene.

"That's true," said Mrs. Greene.

"After all, it may have been accidental," said Sophonisba, on hearing
which good-natured surmise both papa and mamma Greene shook their
suspicious heads.

I was resolved to say nothing then. It was all but impossible that
they should really think that I had intended to steal their box; nor,
if they did think so, would it have become me to vindicate myself
before the landlord and all his servants. I stood by therefore in
silence, while two of the men raised the trunk, and joined the
procession which followed it as it was carried out of my room into
that of the legitimate owner. Everybody in the house was there by
that time, and Mrs. Greene, enjoying the triumph, by no means grudged
them the entrance into her sitting-room. She had felt that she was
suspected, and now she was determined that the world of Bellaggio
should know how much she was above suspicion. The box was put down
upon two chairs, the supporters who had borne it retiring a pace each.
Mrs. Greene then advanced proudly with the selected key, and Mr.
Greene stood by at her right shoulder, ready to receive his portion of
the hidden treasure. Sophonisba was now indifferent, and threw
herself on the sofa, while I walked up and down the room