“No, no; I didn’t know it. Indeed, indeed, I didn’t. Lately I suspected––thought––but I didn’t know.” Then she cried helplessly. “Oh, Peter, what’s to be done? We must––we must save him!”
In an instant Elia was on his feet protesting.
“What for you want to save him?” he cried. “He’s a crook. He’s a thief. He’s bad––I tell you he’s bad.”
But Peter suddenly thrust out one great hand and pushed him back into his chair.
“Sit there and keep quiet,” he said sternly. “Now, let’s think. You told Doc, eh?”
“Yes,” retorted the boy sulkily. “An’ he’s goin’ out after ’em to-night. An’ I’m glad, ’cos they’ll get him.”
“If they get him you’ll never get your gold, laddie, because you’ve given him away. Do you understand?”
Eve, watching these two, began to realize something of the working of Peter’s mind. He meant to win Elia over to his side, and was adopting the only possible means.
The boy remained obstinately silent, and Peter went on.