But why had Jones removed it?
Surely Jones was not as skeptical as that?
"Ah, and where have you put that ?" "Why, sir, his Excellency took that." "What ?" I cried.
"Yes, sir.

Didn't I mention it?
Why, the day after you and the President were here that night, his Excellency came down in the afternoon, when you'd gone out to the Piazza, and said he wanted it.
He said, sir, that you'd said it was to go to the Ministry of Finance.
He was very affable, sir, and told me that it was necessary the original should be submitted to the minister for his inspection; and as he was passing by (he'd come in to cash a check on his private account) he'd take it up himself.

Hasn't he given it back to you, sir?
He said he would." I had just strength enough to gasp out: "Slipped his memory, no doubt.

All right, Jones." "May I go now, sir ?" said Jones.

"Mrs.Jones wanted me to go with her to--" "Yes, go," said I, and as he went out I added a destination different, no doubt, from what the good lady had proposed.