"Yes, it is, a man that has been prowlin' round the camp for some weeks, not doin' anything, but watchin' for a chance to appropriate the property of some lucky miner. I'd like to see the fellow's face when he opens the handkerchief this morning, and finds the rock."
"It appears you have lost a handkerchief, at any rate," said the commissioner, with a smile.
"He's welcome to it," answered Obed, "if it will comfort him any. I brought it away from home two years ago, and now I can afford to buy another."
By this time the nugget had been carried into the office and exposed to view.
"It is a splendid specimen," said the commissioner admiringly. "It is certainly the largest that has ever been found in this camp."
"Has any been found before?" asked Harry.
"Yes; six months ago a Scotch miner, named Lindsay, found one weighing twenty-two pounds and some ounces."
"Is he here now?"
"Yes, and without a shilling."
"Didn't his nugget benefit him any then?" asked Harry.