"Really, Juniper," he said, "I don't know what to think, I can't deny that this packet has been made up for me before our present meeting, and it has all the appearance of having been some considerable time just as it now is. It certainly looks as if you didn't mean to rob me, as you've paid me, I should think, nearly double what you took. Of course, I don't want that. I shall not take more than my fifty pounds."
"Oh, sir, do take the rest, as some amends for the anxiety I've caused you by my foolish act, in taking charge of your money in the way I did without your knowledge or permission. It was wrong, and I oughtn't to have done it; but I meant it for the best. And oh, dear master, do think the best of me. I never did mean to harm you; and I'm ready to go with you now from the Pole to the Antipathies."
"No, Juniper, I shall only take my own," said his master; and he restored him one of the ten-pound notes and the nuggets, which Juniper accepted with apparent reluctance.
"So far," said Frank Oldfield, "let bygones be bygones. I trust that you'll not make any more such awkward mistakes."
"You're satisfied then, sir?" asked Graves.
"Yes, so far as my money is concerned. But there's a graver charge against you still. Jacob Poole has informed me, and asserts it most positively, that you stole into his tent at the diggings and tried to murder him."
"Well, did I ever!" exclaimed Juniper, holding up both his hands in amazement. "I really think, sir, that young man can't be quite right in his head. _Me_ try to murder him! why, I've never set eyes on him since the day he spoke so impertinently to me at the cottage. _Me_ murder him! what can the poor, silly young man be thinking of. It's all his fancy, sir; merely congestion of the brain, sir, I assure you; nothing but congestion of the brain."
"It may be so," replied Frank; "but here he comes himself; let us hear what he has to say on the subject."
They both stepped out into the open air as Jacob Poole came up.
Poor Jacob, had he seen the "father of lies" himself walking with his master, he could hardly have been more astounded. He rubbed his eyes, and stared hard again at Frank and his companion, to assure himself that he was not mistaken or dreaming. No; there could be no doubt of it. Frank Oldfield was there, and Juniper Graves was as clearly there; and it was equally plain that there was more of confidence than of distrust in his master's manner towards the robber and intended murderer. What could it all mean?