A smothered cry escaped Sylvia and was echoed by Elisha.
"Why—land alive—there's nothin' here!" gasped the sheriff.
"I told you there was nothing!" Sylvia taunted, beginning to laugh hysterically. "I told you so—but you would not believe me."
Tears were rolling down her cheeks and she wiped them away, strangling a convulsive sob.
"Wal, 'Lish, all I can say is you must either 'a' been wool gatherin' or dreamin' when you conceived this yarn," Eleazer jeered.
"I warn't," hissed Elisha, stung to the quick. "I warn't dreamin'. Them jewels was there. I saw 'em with my own eyes. I swear to heaven I did." Then as if a new idea flashed into his mind, he confronted Sylvia. "They was there, young lady, warn't they? You know they was. That's why you was so scairt for me to look. You've seen 'em, too."
"I?"
"Yes, you. Deny it if you dare."
"Of course I deny it."