“I had just dug it up and put it in my pocket when this man came along. He ordered me to give it to him.”
“Did he say he hid it there?”
“No. He said that Peter owed him money, and he wanted it.”
“You appear to be a very ingenious liar,” remarked Luke, turning to the tramp. “Which of these stories do you want me to believe?”
“I hid it there!” said the tramp doggedly.
“Then why did you tell the boy that Peter owed you money?”
“Because I didn’t think he would believe that I hid it.”
“You are right there. He don’t believe it, nor do I. One thing more—were you the man that broke into his cabin and stole two gold pieces from his trunk?”
“No. I don’t know anything about it.”
“Of course you would deny it. All the same I have no doubt that you were the man.”