Let's see what it is I don't understand. You found this
money behind those boards?"

"Eh? Yes . . . yes . . . but--"

"Wait. And you found it this mornin'?"

"Yes . . . yes . . . but, Sam--"

"Hold on. You saw it layin' on the floor at the bottom of that
crack?"

"Well--well, I don't know as I saw it exactly, but--but-- No, I
didn't see it. I--I felt it."

"Oh, you felt it! Thought you said you saw it. Well, you reached
down and felt it, then. How did you get your arm stretched out
five foot long and three-quarters of an inch thick? Put it under
the steam roller, did you?"

Jed swallowed twice before replying. "I--I--" he began. "Well--
well, come to think of it, Sam, I--I guess I didn't feel it with my
fingers. I--I took a stick. Yes, that was it. I poked in behind
there with a stick."

"Oh, you felt it with a stick. And knew 'twas money? Tut, tut!
You must have a good sense of touch, Jed, to know bills when you
scratch across 'em with the far end of a five foot stick. Pick 'em
up with a stick, too, did you?"

Mr. Winslow was speechless. Captain Sam shook his head.

"And that ain't the most astonishin' part either," he observed.
"While those bills were in the dark at the bottom of that crack
they must have sprouted. They went in there nothin' but tens and
twenties. These you just gave me are fives and twos and all sorts.
You'd better poke astern of those boards again, Jed. The roots
must be down there yet; all you've scratched up are the sprouts."

His only answer was a hopeless groan. Captain Sam rose and,
walking over to where his friend sat with his face buried between
his hands, laid his own hand on the latter's shoulder.

"There, there, Jed," he said, gently. "I beg your pardon. I'm
sorry I stirred you up this way. 'Twas mean of me, I know, but
when you commenced givin' me all this rigmarole I couldn't help it.
You never was meant for a liar, old man; you make a mighty poor
fist at it. What is it all about? What was you tryin' to do it
for?"

Another groan. The captain tried again.

"What's the real yarn?" he asked. "What are you actin' this way
for? Course I know you never found the money. Is there somebody--"

"No! No, no!" Jed's voice rose almost to a shout. He sprang to
his feet and clutched at Captain Sam's coat-sleeve. "No," he
shouted. "Course there ain't anybody. Wh-what makes you say such
a thing as that? I--I tell you I did find the money. I d