"
His only answer was a hopeless groan. Captain Sam rose and,
walking over to where his friend sat with his face buried between
his hands, laid his own hand on the latter's shoulder.
"There, there, Jed," he said, gently. "I beg your pardon. I'm
sorry I stirred you up this way. 'Twas mean of me, I know, but
when you commenced givin' me all this rigmarole I couldn't help it.
You never was meant for a liar, old man; you make a mighty poor
fist at it. What is it all about? What was you tryin' to do it
for?"
Another groan. The captain tried again.
"What's the real yarn?" he asked. "What are you actin' this way
for? Course I know you never found the money. Is there somebody--"
"No! No, no!" Jed's voice rose almost to a shout. He sprang to
his feet and clutched at Captain Sam's coat-sleeve. "No," he
shouted. "Course there ain't anybody. Wh-what makes you say such
a thing as that? I--I tell you I did find the money. I did--I
did."
"Jed! Of course you didn't. I know you didn't. I KNOW. Gracious
king, man, be sensible."
"I did! I did! I found it and now I give it back to you. What
more do you want, Sam Hunniwell? Ain't that enough?"
"Enough! It's a darned sight too much. I tell you I know you
didn't find it."
"But I did."
"Rubbish! In the first place, you and I hunted every inch behind
those boards the very day the money was missin', and 'twa'n't there
then.
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