“Heaven forbid,” I said.
“If it’s a question of reason and common sense⸺”’ he began.
“Will you please drive a little slower?” I begged.
“If it’s a question of reason and common sense,” he continued, “where is the money if it isn’t somewhere up there? You think the game wardens cracked Munk or Mink, or whatever his name was, on the head and got it somehow. I don’t believe that; I say those men were on the level—I know the type. All right, then, you say Mink didn’t pull a game on his partner—you know that type. Well, then, Mink left the money somewhere, didn’t he? Do you see anything so ridiculous about that? Where is it?”
“I was wondering,” Brent said; “of course, this is only a suggestion⸺”
“That’s what I want—suggestions,” said Tom.
“I was wondering if the rattlesnakes could have eaten it. No?”
“Tom,” I said, “I’m going to ask you seriously, now before we get to Bridgeboro, don’t fly out of your senses and go hunting for treasure—that’s old stuff. I wouldn’t even put it in a story. The way to get money is to earn it⸺”
“Now you’re making a noise like a papa,” he said.
“You go up to Temple Camp and work on your job and earn your salary,” I told him; “don’t be a quitter. At least don’t be a quitter to go chasing a rainbow. Everybody respects you in town; don’t make a fool of yourself. I’m sorry I told you. If you get a leave of absence from Temple Camp to go treasure hunting, why, Temple Camp is paying for the treasure hunt. If that tastes good in your mouth, all right.”