“He didn’t think so,” said Tom, laughing. “You have no idea how mad he was. I pretended to be a simpleton, and that put him off his guard.”
“By Jove, I don’t believe I should have managed the matter so well myself. Weren’t you afraid?”
“I wasn’t altogether comfortable in my mind,” said Tom, “for I wasn’t sure that my plan would work, but I can’t say I was frightened.”
“If you had been you wouldn’t have been able to act with so much coolness. How much money was there in the drawer?”
“Eight hundred dollars.”
“Is it possible? You must have been doing a good trade.”
“I think I have,” said Tom complacently.
“You have done as well as if I had been here. I will take care that you are rewarded for your fidelity.”
“It is enough if you are pleased,” said Tom.
“No, it isn’t. Such fidelity and bravery as yours deserve to be encouraged, for they are rare enough.”