"Iss, 'tis true as Gospel. They brought out silks and satins and who knows what all, and look 'ee, friends, that be thievin'!"
"I don't know about that," said Tonkin.
"But I do know," said Doubledick positively. "We hain't used the well for ten year, we all do know that. Last time 'twas only 'bacca and brandy—not a bale o' silk or passel o' lace. Well, then, this stuff bein' buried in the earth, or we'd ha' found it, I reckon it had been theer ever since the landfall, hunderds o' years ago, in yer grandfer's days, Zacky. See then, the true owner o't, arter all this time, be the owner o' the land, and that's Maister John—would ha' been Squire till three months ago. Hee, hee! They ha' stole Maister John's proputty."
"I've heerd tell o' what clever folks call treasure trove," said Mail, "and that belongs to King Jarge."
"King Jarge ha' got quite as much as he can do with up-along to Lunnon," said Doubledick, "and I don't care who the man is, they silks and satins do belong now to Maister John. Well, do 'ee think they wicked robbers will hev the impedence to swear agen a honest free-trader like me? They'll never do it. Maister John will claim the goods and threaten 'em wi' the law, and that'll be enough to keep their mouths shet, trust me."
"How did this wonderful bit o' knowledge come to 'ee neighbour, you bein' away and all?" asked Mail.
"Ah! little birds, Simon, little small birds," replied Doubledick with a knowing look.
"Then maybe you do know another 'mazin' bit o' news," said Pendry.
"Maybe I do. Tell to me, and then I'll tell 'ee."
"Why, young Squire this very day did save young Jake from bein' drownded, didn' he, Zacky?"