"Then somebody in the house lost it; you must tell the landlord. If you don't, I'll tell him this evening."
"No, no! you mustn't do that," cried Jordie. "Look! I'll let you see it. I'm going to sell it to a chambermaid in one of the hotels; but she must give me at least four francs, and I will give you one, or perhaps two, and no one shall know anything about it."
"I don't want it! I don't want it!" Moni interrupted angrily; "and God has heard every word you said."
Jordie looked up to heaven. "Too far away," he said doubtfully, but he took care to lower his voice.
"He'll hear you, anyway," said Moni with assurance.
Jordie began to feel uncomfortable. He must get Moni over to his side or he would spoil the whole game. Jordie thought and thought.
"Moni," he said suddenly, "I will promise you something that will please you, if you won't tell any one about what I found. And you needn't take any of the money; then you won't have anything to do with it. If you'll promise, then I will persuade father to buy little Meggy, so that she won't be killed. Will you?"
That started a hard struggle in Moni. It would be sinful to conceal the finding of the treasure. Jordie had opened his hand; there lay a cross set with many jewels that sparkled with all colors. Moni saw that it was no trifling thing that would not be searched after. He felt that if he did not tell it would be the same as though he himself were keeping something that did not belong to him. But, on the other hand, there was dear little Meggy; she would be killed—horribly butchered with a knife, and he could prevent it if he kept silent. The little kid was at that moment lying trustfully beside him, as though she knew that he would always protect her. No, he must not let such a thing happen; he must do something to save her.
"Then I will, Jordie," he said, but without any enthusiasm.