'Yes, I do mean to say so; and the question is, what you mean to do about it?'
'What I mean to do about it?' and he looked at Cross with a vacant stare.
'Why you know we are both implicated.'
'Why, neighbor, that is all between you and me. You know I have been but a mere counsellor.'
'Yes, and a pretty scrape your counsel has got me into. Here is one man dead, the two others gone out of reach, and the thing itself nowhere to be found. Like as not Rutherford has got it back again, and we have had our labor for our pains, and may be something beside not so agreeable.'
'Well, now suppose, neighbor, I should tell you that Rutherford has not got it?'
'Do you know that? and how?'
'What would you give if I should tell you that I have got it, safe and snug in my own hands?'
'Give! I have given enough already; but where is it? let's see it.'
And Cross arose from his leaning posture, sat his chair square on the floor, and himself very erect in it, and looked fixedly at the Squire.