"
The breakfast was nearly ready in anticipation of their needs, and
they partook of it heartily.
Now came the critical moment.
Ben thrust his hand into his pocket, appearing to search for his
money, and, after a brief space, withdrew it in apparent dismay.
"I can't find my money," he said.
Mrs. Carter's face flushed, but she said nothing. She anticipated
their suspicion, and was ashamed.
"Bradley," said Ben, "have you your money?"
Jake Bradley repeated the search, and he, too, expressed surprise.
"I had it when I went to bed," he added.
"What is it?" asked the woman slowly, turning to them a troubled
face. "Have you lost anything?"
"I don't seem to find my money, ma'am," answered Bradley.
"Nor I mine," said Ben. "It's curious."
Mrs. Carter could not tell by their manner whether they suspected
anything, but she had her story ready. It was an invention, but life
with Jack Carter had left her few compunctions about such a simple
matter as telling a lie.
"I missed something myself," she said. "We don't lock our door of
nights, and I reckon some tramp got in last night, when we were
asleep, and robbed us all. Have you lost much, you two?"
"Not much, ma'am.
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