As no one outside knew of its existence it was considered quite safe to keep it in the house.

The box lay in a corner under a spotless pile of sweet smelling handkerchiefs.

Esther snapped open the lid of the case and looked in.

She looked close, closer still, bending over the open drawer-- "Do you feel anything, Esther ?" The girl's answer came, after a second's pause, in a strained voice.
"The drawer is so dark, I can't tell!" "Take it to the window," said Aunt Amy.
Esther lifted the case from the drawer and carried it into a better light.

Her eyes were panic-stricken.