“Because my story, whether ridiculous or not, is true. I don’t care for the reward; I didn’t come up here to get it.”
“What did you come for?”
“I came to prevent your coming upon the insurance company for that money. If you will promise not to ask for the money, I will never say a word about how the fire came about.”
“I can’t promise that,” said the squire; “but before claiming the insurance I will let you know. In the mean time you had better keep the story to yourself.”
“I will,” said Harry, and, rising, he left the room, leaving the squire in a very uncomfortable and unsatisfactory state of mind.
CHAPTER XII.
HARTLEY BRANDON.
When the squire was left alone, he began rather ruefully to think over the unexpected turn which affairs had taken. If he had disliked Harry before, he hated him now. He felt that the sturdy determination of our young hero was likely to place him in a very unpleasant dilemma. If he should not collect the insurance money, the house would be a total loss, and this would be very provoking. If he should collect it, he had every reason to believe that Harry would keep his word; and, as he was a boy of truth, many would no doubt believe him, and the insurance company would be sure to stir in the matter. There was another consideration. If he guiltily let the matter pass, and failed to make his claim, or recalled it,—for it was already made,—it would excite a great deal of surprise, and perhaps suspicion, and thus again he would be disagreeably situated. There seemed to be only a choice of difficulties, as the squire realized. He fervently wished now that he had never burnt the house down. But it was done and could not be undone.