But when you have seen what is there, you will perceive that you are the most fitting confidant in this country--for general reasons, of course; for I need not say there is nothing in those papers which concerns you personally." Claudius unlocked the box and took out a few letters that were lying on the top, then he pushed the casket across the table to the Duke.
"Will you please examine the contents for yourself ?" he said.

"There are only three or four papers to read--the rest are letters from my father to my mother--you may look at them if you like; they are very old." All this time the Duke looked very grave.

He was not accustomed to have his word of honour asked for small matters, and if this were some trivial question of an assumed name, or the like, he was prepared to be angry with Claudius.

So he silently took the little strong box, and examined the contents.

There were two packages of papers, two or three morocco cases that might contain jewels, and there was a string of pearls lying loose in the bottom of the casket.