would be at her full to-morrow, or next
day. While the dusk lasted he could dig, up there, and no passer-by
would suspect him of any intent beyond eking out the last glimpse of
day. To be surprised in the act of digging by moonlight was another
matter, and might start an evil rumour. For one thing, it was held
uncanny, in Polpier, to turn the soil by moonlight--a deed never done
save by witches or persons in league with Satan. Albeit they may not
own to it, two-thirds of the inhabitants of Polpier believe in black
magic.

He would make a start, then, towards dusk. There was no occasion to
take any great load at one time, or even to be seen with any
conspicuous burden. As much gold as his two pockets would carry--
that would serve for a start. To-morrow he might venture to visit
Mrs Pengelly and purchase a new and more capacious pair of trousers--
to-morrow, or perhaps the day after. Caution was necessary. He had
already astonished Mr Gedye, the ironmonger, with his affluence: and
just now again, like a fool, he had been dropping sovereigns about
Latter's bar-parlour. That had been an awkward moment. He had
extricated himself with no little skill, but it was a warning to be
careful against multiplying evidence or letting it multiply. A new
pair of trousers, as this narrative has already hinted, is always a
somewhat dazzling adventure in Polpier. No. . . . decidedly he had
better postpone _that_ investment. Just now he would step around to
boatbuilder Jago's and borrow or purchase a short length of
eight-inch planking to repair the flooring of the bedroom cupboard.
Jago had a plenty of such odd lengths to be had for the asking.
"I'll make out the top of the water-butt wants mending," said
Nicky-Nan to himself. "Lord! what foolishness folk talk about the
contrivances of poverty. Here have I been living in fear and
tremblement over a dozen things never likely to befall, and all
because my brain has been starving for years, along with my stomach.
Start the pump with a dose of brandy, and it rewards ye by working
sweet and suent. Here at this moment be a dozen things possible and
easy, that two hours agone were worrying me to the grave. Now I know
how rich men thrive, and I'll use the secret. Simplicity itself it
is: for set me on the Lord Mayor's throne and fill me with expensive
meat and drink, and I'll be bold to command the Powers o' Darkness."

This was fine talking. But he had not freed himself fr