"That's just what we've done," answered Obed.
"When did you find it?"
"Well, we took it from the mine about midnight. We found it in the afternoon, but calculated we'd better take possession when there wasn't so many lookin' on. I say, Mr. Commissioner, I don't think it would agree with me to be a rich man. I got broken of my rest last night, from havin' the nugget in the cabin."
"You ran very little risk. No one could have found out that you had it in your possession," remarked the commissioner.
"That's where you are mistaken, commissioner. We came near being robbed of it only an hour after we brought it home."
"Bless my soul! How did that happen?"
"A pesky thief sneaked in, and carried it off, as he thought."
"How could he think he carried it off when he did not?"
Upon this Obed explained the trick to which he had resorted, and the commissioner laughed heartily.
"Do you know the man—the thief, I mean?" he asked.