"But that don't answer my riddle," he added, impatiently. "What
made Jed act the way he did? Got the answer, Charlie?"
The young man shook his head. "No, by George, I haven't!" he
replied.
"How about you, Mrs. Armstrong? Can you help us out?"
Ruth's answer was brief. "No, I'm afraid not," she said. There
was a queer note in her voice which caused her brother to glance at
her, but Captain Hunniwell did not notice. He turned to go.
"Well," he said, "I wish you'd think it over and see if you can spy
land anywheres ahead. I need a pilot. This course is too crooked
for me. I'm goin' home to ask Maud; maybe she can see a light. So
long."
He went out. When Charles returned, having accompanied his
employer as far as the door, he found Ruth standing by her chair
and looking at him. A glance at her face caused him to stop short
and look at her.
"Why, Ruth," he asked, "what is it?"
She was pale and trembling. There were tears in her eyes.
"Oh, Charlie," she cried, "can't you see? He--he did it for you."
"Did it for me? Did what? Who? What are you talking about, Sis?"
"Jed. Jed Winslow. Don't you see, Charlie? He pretended to have
found the money and to have stolen it just to save you. He thought
you--he thought you had taken it."
"WHAT? Thought I had taken it? I had? Why in the devil should he
think--"
He stopped.
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