“He then told them that he had made enquiries, but was sorry to communicate the event to them, for that the thief, who was a bold, impudent fellow, rejected the offer that had been made him, pretending that he could sell the goods for double the price, and, indeed, would not hear a word of restitution, unless upon better terms.
“‘But,’ says Jack, ‘if I can but get to speak to him, I do not doubt of bringing him to reason.’
“After two or three more attendances, Jack would say as a definite answer to the enquirer,
“‘Provided no questions were asked, and you gave so much money to the party who brought them, you might have the things returned privately at such an hour.’
“This was always done with an outward sign of friendship on his side, and with seeming frankness and generosity; but when you came to the last part of the agreement, that is to say, what Jack himself expected for his trouble, then an air of coldness was put on, and he answered with indifference, that what he did was purely from a principle of doing good, and as a gratuity for the trouble he had taken, he left it entirely to yourself—you might do as you thought proper.
“When money was presented to him, he received it with the same cold indifference, always putting you in mind that he did not accept your gift as a reward conferred upon himself, but as a favour conferred upon you.
“Thus, by his dexterity in his management, he fenced himself against the rigour of the law, in the midst of these notorious transgressions of it.
“For what could be imputed to him?
“He neither saw the thief who took away the goods, nor received them after they were taken.
“The method he pursued was neither dishonest or illegal, if you would believe his account of it, and no other account could be obtained of it.