I need not trouble you with details.

The course which I adopted is known to you with the attendant circumstances, even to the accidental detachment of the right hand--which broke off as I was packing the arm in my handbag.

Erroneous as that course was, it would have been successful but for the unforeseen contingency of your being retained in the case.
"Thus, for nearly two years, I remained in complete security.

From time to time I dropped in at the museum to see if the deceased was keeping in good condition; and on those occasions I used to reflect with satisfaction on the gratifying circumstance--accidental though it was--that his wishes, as expressed (very imperfectly) in clause two, had been fully complied with, and that without prejudice to my interests.
"The awakening came on that evening when I saw you at the Temple gate talking with Doctor Berkeley.

I suspected immediately that something had gone amiss and that it was too late to take any useful action.