“Yes.”
Then addressing the captain again, she requested him to produce the gentleman whose money had been stolen. Henry of Navarre stepped from his place in the line and confronted the black domino.
“I am the one who has been so unlucky as to lose a large sum of money.”
“Take a seat, sir,” replied the woman, “near that table there, and do me the favor to count the contents of this pocket-book carefully, and when you have finished inform me whose it is, and the amount of money in it.”
Navarre, taking the pocket-book, drew a chair to the table and began to count the money.
“Poor woman,” observed Captain Burk, “she has stolen the money, and now when she sees all chances of escape destroyed, she is going to confess and beg for mercy.”
“For my part,” replied Woodburry, “I am inclined to think she is crazy. I have noticed her singular conduct ever since we left Memphis, and I am unable to account for her actions upon any other theory.”
Nearly all the passengers felt a sentiment of compassion for the unfortunate woman, and several suggested the propriety of requesting Captain Quitman to let her off without exposure, inasmuch as she had restored the stolen property.
“I make a motion,” said Demar, “that we jointly petition the captain not to expose the poor unfortunate creature.”
The motion was unanimously adopted and Demar selected as commissioner to lay the petition before Captain Quitman. Meantime Navarre finished counting the money.