Part 33 (1/2)
The exclamation was caused by the point of the shovel striking something hard. Again and again the thrust was made, and each time a hollow sound was produced.
”It's it! It's it!” shouted Tony, now much excited. ”I knowed it was here,” and he dug away frantically, until presently an iron box about a foot long and six inches wide was exposed to view. Throwing aside the shovel, he seized the treasure with both hands, tore it from its hiding-place and held it aloft.
”Look, Steve!” he cried, trembling with excitement, ”I knowed thar was somethin' here!”
Stephen was now as much aroused as Tony. ”What's in it, do you think?” he asked.
”Gold! that's what's in it! Ye'll soon see,” and Tony pulled back a little iron pin and threw up the cover. As he did so he gave a cry of surprise, for the light falling upon the interior showed nothing there but a few pieces of paper. Tony rubbed his eyes in amazement, and then looked at Stephen.
”Whar's that gold?” he fiercely demanded. ”What has become of it?”
Stephen scarcely heard him, for a terrible idea had flashed into his mind.
Someone had taken it, and was it--? He hardly dare let the name beat for an instant through his brain. It was cruel. No, no, it could not be! That white-haired man of G.o.d would not stoop to such a thing! But where was the gold?
The moon rose clear and full above the distant horizon. It seemed to ask silently the same question. A dog from a farm-house up the road split the air with its hoa.r.s.e bark of wonder. Stephen placed his hand to his forehead in an abstracted manner. Then he glanced at the box, and the papers lying therein arrested his attention. He reached down and took them in his hand. They were tied with an old piece of tarred twine, and were much blackened and soiled. Drawing forth the first and holding it close to the lantern, Stephen read the brief words recorded there. It took him but a minute to do this, and then followed an exclamation which gave Tony a distinct start.
”What is it, Steve?” he asked. ”What hev ye found?”
”Read this, and judge for yourself,” Stephen replied, thrusting the paper into his companion's hands.
As Tony spelled out the words his eyes bulged with astonishment.
”Oh, Steve!” he gasped, ”I'm so glad it isn't the parson. But do ye think this is all right?”
”It. looks like it. See the date, November 10th of last year. And notice, too, these words 'for safe keeping' and 'until called for.' Why, it's as plain as day. Then, here's the amount, 'five thousand dollars, all in gold, to be left in the iron box marked with a cross in white paint.'”
”Say, Tony,” Stephen asked, ”did Billy have such a box, another one like this?”
”Why, yes, I do remember one very well. It was smaller than this; 'twas stouter an' had a lock an' key. He kept some papers an' loose change in it. It allus sot on the old mantel-piece over the fire-place.”
”Tony!” said Stephen, looking hard at the paper, ”if that box of gold is there yet, and that man has been silent and let another take the blame, it's the smallest, vilest piece of work of which I ever heard.”
”Sure 'tis, an' I say let's go an' ax 'im 'bout it.”
”But he's at the meeting now.”
”Well, all the better. It's right that the people should hear. But say, Steve, what's that other paper?”
”Oh, I forgot it. Maybe it will explain things further.”
”Why, it's Billy's will!” cried Stephen, running his eyes over the closely written sheets, ”and he's left the whole of his property, gold, farm and all, to you.”
”To me! To me!” exclaimed Tony. ”Ye must be mistaken.”
”Read it for yourself, then,” and Stephen pa.s.sed over the will. ”It's all there in black and white.”
As Tony read, his face flushed, and his hands clutched the paper in the intensity of his feelings. His eyes flashed as he turned them hard upon Stephen.
”I understand now!” he cried. ”That villain has tried to cheat me outer all this. He thought the will an' everythin' else was burned. But he was mistaken. Oh, yes, he didn't know what was beneath the ashes. Come, Steve, let's go an' ax 'im a few questions. Mebbe he'll explain things. Anyway we'll give 'im a chance. Come, let's hurry!”
Chapter XXVI