"In my black silk pocket; but the pocket went too."
"And I suppose you have hunted everywhere for it."
"Of course we have," said Dorcas. "I guess you'd think so, Mr. Starbird; why, we've turned this house upside down."
"To be sure. Well, I'd like to ask another question, Mrs. Lyman. Did you ever think that woman that is about here so much—Siller Noonin, I believe they call her—could have taken the money?"
"O, no, indeed, Francis; we consider Priscilla an honest woman."
"That was not what I meant to say, Mrs. Lyman. What I was going to ask was this: Wasn't there a funny old man here at the time you lost the money? and didn't Siller Noonin say that either he stole the money or she did?"
Mrs. Lyman looked surprised.
"Yes; there was a little old man at the house in haying-time, and I believe Priscilla did say she thought—"
"Yes, mother," broke in Dorcas; "and he was sitting out on the fence when she said it, and we were afraid he heard; but how did you know that, Mr. Starbird? It didn't come to you in your dream?"
"Ah, Miss Dorcas, you are beginning to be curious; but when I go on to tell you more, you will open your eyes wider yet. I never saw that little old man, Mrs. Lyman, and never heard you speak of him; but I dreamed I was husking corn in your barn, and a man about as tall as your Mary—"