The tramp laughed long and loud.
"Oh, yes," he replied, "you can depend on me. I won't let anyone else have the money."
"Thank you! I feel safe now."
The tramp laughed again. To him it seemed like a delicious joke.
He did not seem to be in a hurry to possess himself of the booty, as he felt sure he could have it at any time. It was a good joke that Gerald seemed quite unsuspicious of his intentions.
"How much gold might there be in the box?" he asked.
"Not far from a thousand dollars," said Gerald, frankly.
The tramp smacked his lips. He had never before bagged so much booty. It really seemed like a big stroke of luck.
"A thousand dollars!" he repeated. "That's a big sum!"
"Yes, it is a large sum, as you say."