“I was only seeing if the old woman placed anything under the bricks,” said he.
“Something valuable, eh?”
“Perhaps.”
“Not money, was it, George?”
“Perhaps not.”
“You’re a cool one. I thought your trip up the river reformed you. Don’t you remember how the newspapers exploited your return, and said you were quit of crime? It was a great fake, wasn’t it?”
The speaker smiled, but Richmond did not.
“Who are you?” he demanded.
“That’s another matter. Don’t let me disturb you. You haven’t taken up more than half the bricks. Go through the rest.”
“I don’t care to. You’re playing spy, and, by heavens! that’s dangerous work.”