“Meanwhile，” continued Uncle Andrew， “I was learning a good deal in other ways （it wouldn‘t be proper to explain them to a child） about Magic in general. That meant that I came to have a fair idea what sort of things might be in the box. By various tests I narrowed down the possibilities. I had to get to know some.well， some devilish queer people， and go through some very disagreeable experiences. That was what turned my head grey. One doesn’t become a magician for nothing. My health broke down in the end. But I got better. And at last I actually knew.”
Although there was not really the least chance of anyone overhearing them， he leaned forward and almost whispered as he said：
“The Atlantean box contained something that had been brought from another world when our world was only just beginning.”
“What？” asked Digory， who was now interested in spite of himself.