"At any rate, then you would have got the genuine nugget."
"What do you mean? Do you think there was a nugget?"
"Of course I do. It's as plain as the nose on your face, and that's plain enough, in all conscience. They've played a trick on you."
"What trick?"
"It appears to me you are mighty stupid, my friend. They hid away the real nugget, and put this in its place. That Yankee is a good deal sharper than you are, and he wasn't going to run no risks."
"Do you believe this?" asked the thief, his jaw falling.
"There's no doubt of it. They've had a fine laugh at your expense before this, I'll be bound."
"Just my luck!" ejaculated the thief dolefully. "After all the pains I've taken, too."
"Yes, it is hard lines on a poor industrious man like you!" said the new-comer cynically. "You're not smart enough to be a successful thief."
"I suppose you are," retorted the other resentfully.