"He wants to borrow money, I suppose," replied Stumpy. "Hark!"
Stumpy went out of the shop, and while he pretended to be looking at the goods in Herr Schlager's window, he listened to the conversation till the two men separated, and the deacon entered the watch-maker's shop.
"You are driving a hard trade, with Squire Moses," said Stumpy, following the deacon into the shop.
"Did you hear it?" asked Deacon Bowman, with a troubled expression.
"I heard part of it. Squire Moses is to lend you six hundred dollars, and you are to give him a note and mortgage on your house for seven hundred—a bonus of one hundred, besides the interest," added Stumpy.
"I did not agree to it, but I want the money very badly. My son, who is in business in Portland, is in trouble, and I am raising this money for him," replied the deacon, with a shudder. "If I don't furnish it, my son will be—Did you hear the rest?"
"No, sir, I did not, and I don't want to hear it."
"I'm glad you don't."
The deacon's son had forged an indorsement, and if the note was not paid, exposure was certain; and Squire Moses was taking advantage of the circumstances.
"Make the note and mortgage for six hundred dollars to Sarah Wormbury, administratrix, and here is the money," added Stumpy, taking the balance of the proceeds of the hidden treasure from his pocket, rejoiced to be able to help the worthy deacon, and at the same time to head off a mean act of his grandfather.