Why, you contemptible thief!" exclaimed Luke Robbins, for it was he
whose opportune coming had saved Ernest from being plundered. "Are you
trying to rob the boy?"

He seized the tramp by the collar, forced him to give up the gold he
had just snatched from Ernest, and flung him on his back.

The tramp's surprise deepened to dismay when, looking up, he saw the
stalwart hunter with stern face looking down upon him.

"It was my money," he whined.

"Your money, you owdacious liar! Don't tell me that or I'll treat you
worse."

"But it was. I had hidden it under a tree. I came along just as the
boy dug it up. I told him to give it to me, for it was mine, but he
wouldn't, and then I chased him."

"What's the truth of the matter, Ernest?" asked Luke.

"It was money that Peter Brant had hidden away. He told me on his
deathbed where to look for it."

"I thought it was Peter's."

"I had just dug it up and put it in my pocket when this man came
along. He ordered me to give it him."

"Did he say he hid it there?"

"No. He said that Peter owed him money, and he wanted it."

"You appear to be a very ingenious liar," remarked Luke, turning to
the tramp. "Which of these stories do you want me to believe?"

"I hid it there!" said the tramp, doggedly.

"Then why did you tell the boy that Peter owed you money?"

"Because I didn't think he would believe that I hid it."

"You are right there. He don't believe it, nor do I. One thing
more--were you the man that broke into his cabin and stole two gold
pieces from his trunk?"

"No. I don't know anything about it."

"Of course you would deny it. All the same, I have no doubt that you
were the man."

"If I had done it he would have seen me."

"That won't go down. He was asleep. Ernest, what shall I do with this
fellow? Shall I shoot him?" and Luke Robbins pulled out a revolver,
which he handled in a significant way.

"Don't shoot! Spare my life, Mr. Robbins!" cried the tramp, in great
alarm.

"Humph! I don't see the good. Your life is of no value to the world."

"Let him go, Luke," said Ernest, "but tell him to clear out of this
neighborhood."

"It is treating him too well. Still, I will do as you say. Hark, you
fellow, what is your name?"

"Tom Burns."

"You are a disgrace to the name of Burns. If I spare your life will
you leave this neighborhood and never come back?"

"Yes, yes," answered the tramp, earnestly.

"You'd better keep that promise. If I ever cat