Part 17 (1/2)
”Smelt them!” I exclaimed.
”Yes, to find out about the gunpowder. He has found it all out, I'm sure.”
”So am I,” I said sadly, but without telling Bigley I meant something else.
”And then he went right down slowly just where the big rock slipped along, and down to the stream, and washed his hands and came home.”
”And did he speak to you about it?”
”No,” replied Bigley. ”I expected him to say a lot. I didn't mind, for I should have told him all about it, and I don't think he would have been very cross with me; but he didn't say a single word about it, though I saw him shake his fist several times when he was talking to himself, and soon after he set off to walk in to Barnstaple, and, as I told you, he hasn't got back.”
Just then there was the clattering of hoofs, and I looked up and saw my father coming down the zigzag road.
”I must go now,” I said. ”Don't think me unkind, Big, old chap. Or you stop and I'll come out to you again.”
”Yes, do,” he said. ”I'll go and sit down on the rocks till you come.
Only, mind you do.”
I promised that I would and we parted, one going down towards the sea, the other along the lane, where I met my father looking very hot and tired; but he seemed in good spirits, so I supposed that he had not met old Jonas.
”Well, Sep,” he cried, ”how about the experiment? What luck?”
”Oh, we melted the stones, father, and got out of them a little bit of lead.”
”It was lead, then?” he said eagerly, as we reached the cottage.
”Yes, father, and Doctor Chowne says he thinks there's silver in it as well.”
”You young dog!” cried the doctor, coming out pipe in mouth. ”Why, you are telling all the news, and there'll be nothing left for me to do.”
”Only show the stuff,” I said.
”Ah, yes; show the result,” said the doctor. ”But come in, Duncan, the tea's waiting, and I want a cup myself.”
”And I am regularly tired out,” cried my father. ”Here, Sam, feed the pony well, for he has worked hard.”
Sam, who had heard the pony coming, took the rein and led it off to the stable, while I followed my father into the little parlour, where the doctor caught him by the arm.
”Here's the specimen, father,” I said; but he did not turn his head, for the doctor was speaking to him.
”Did you get the deeds?” he said.
”Chowne, you're as good as a witch,” cried my father.
”Why?”
”As I came out of the lawyer's office, who should I see but old Jonas Uggleston coming along the street, and as I went into the hotel I saw him turn in where I had been.”