r,
"it would be all up with me. He could shake the life out of me."

But the stake was a valuable one--it would in all probability make him
comfortable for life, if judiciously husbanded--and Obed's slumber
seemed so profound that there appeared to be no risk. Nevertheless the
tramp trembled, and his heart was in his mouth as he stealthily got in
through the open window, and moved toward the nugget, or what he
supposed to be such. He had one eye on Obed as he reached for the
bundle. It was with difficulty that he could lift it, so heavy was it,
but this only encouraged him, and made his eyes sparkle covetously. The
heavier it was, the more valuable it must be. Were it twice as heavy, he
would be willing to carry it ten miles, enduring cheerfully all the
fatigue it might entail. No thought of the rightful owners or of their
disappointment disturbed him. That greed of gain which hardens the heart
and banishes all scruples, held firm dominion over him.

He lifted the bundle, and as noiselessly as he entered he made his
egress through the window.

He thought he was unobserved, but he was mistaken.

Harry Vane was usually a heavy sleeper. He had slept through many a
thunder-storm at home, and under ordinary circumstances he would have
slept through this entire night. But the thought of the nugget, even in
his sleeping hours, weighed upon him and entered into his dreams.
Singularly, he was dreaming at this very moment that it was being
stolen, and in the intensity of his excitement all at once he became
broad awake, just as the thief was disappearing through the window. With
a startled look he glanced toward the place where the false nugget had
been placed.

It was gone!

Evidently the thief had been taken in, and the thought amused him so
much that he almost unconsciously laughed aloud. The sound fell on the
ears of the receding thief, and filled his heart with apprehension,
though he fancied it was a sound emitted in sleep. Still, it might
precede awakening.

Once out of the window he did not stand upon the order of his going, but
fled with a speed remarkable considering the weight of the bundle he
carried.

Harry rose from his bed, and though he felt sure the thief had been
deceived, he still, in order to make sure, opened the trunk and felt for
the lump of gold. With a thrill of joy he found it still there. Then he
could give way to his sense of amusement, and laughed long and loud. He
did not, however, arouse