Part 4 (1/2)
”That's plain enough,” said he. ”My pocketbook hasn't gone to the bottom.”
”It certainly has not,” replied Lawry.
”Then where is it?--that's the next question.”
”Are you sure it was in your pocket when you got into the ferry-boat?”
”Just as sure as I am that I sit here.”
”You were very careless about your coat on board of the sloop.”
”I know I was.”
”I don't see how a man could throw down his coat with six thousand dollars in the pocket,” said Lawry.
”I know I'm careless; but I'm so used to carrying money that I don't think much about it. I always carry it in a pocket inside of my vest,” continued the director, putting his hand in the place indicated; ”but this is a new vest, and hasn't any such pocket.
Things don't look all right to me. Is the ferryman your father?”
”Yes, sir; he is.”
”Well, the money's gone,” added Mr. Randall. ”We will go back to the ferry-boat.”
”Did you find it?” asked John Wilford, as the bank director stepped into the bateau.
”No; but I'm certain it has not gone to the bottom.”
”Where is it, then?”
”I don't know; can you tell me?”
Mr. Randall looked at the ferryman very sharply. His manner indicated that he had some suspicions.
”How can I tell you?” replied John Wilford.
”The money was in the coat pocket when you picked it up in the water--I know it was.”
”Do you mean to say I took it out?” demanded the ferryman angrily.
”If you didn't, I don't see what has become of it.”
”Do you mean to accuse my father of stealing?” said Lawry indignantly.
”I don't accuse him of anything; but here are the facts, and you can all see for yourselves.”
”You throw your coat down anywhere. It would have gone overboard from the sloop if I hadn't saved it; and it won't do for so careless a man as you are to accuse anybody of stealing your money,” added Lawry angrily.
”Very likely you lost it out of the pocket before you got into the ferry-boat.”