“You are talking nonsense,” I said. “But look here, Esau. About that gold?”
“Yes,” he cried eagerly; “going to have a try for it?”
“No.”
“Oh,” said Esau, gloomily. “Thought you were coming to your senses. I don’t see why other folks should get it all, and us left nowhere.”
“Esau!” I said, as I caught him by the sleeve, “you see how I am being suspected of all this. Mr Raydon still thinks I told Mr Gunson.”
“Well, so you did, didn’t you?” he replied, with a curiously sly look.
“No,” I cried, fiercely; “and you know I did not. But did you?”
Esau looked me full in the face for a few moments, before turning his eyes away, and beginning to whistle softly.
“Do you hear what I say?” I cried, angrily. “Course I do,” he replied, with a mocking laugh.
“Then tell me—at once—the truth. Did you give Mr Gunson to understand where this gold was?”