imitated the action of miners in working at the wash. Then he arose
to his feet and pointed to the pillow.

'I see,' said M. Vandeloup, who had been watching this pantomime
with considerable interest; 'that pillow is the nugget of which our
friend wants a share.'

Pierre assented; then, snatching up the pillow, he ran with it to
the end of the room.

'Oh,' said Gaston, after a moment's thought, 'so he's going to run
away with it. A very good idea; but how does he propose to get it?'

Pierre dropped his pillow and pointed in the direction of the Black
Hill.

'Does he know it's up there?' asked Vandeloup; 'you told him, I
suppose?' As Pierre nodded, 'Humph! I think I can see what Mr
Villiers intends to do--rob his wife as she goes home tonight.'

Pierre nodded in a half doubtful manner.

'You're not quite sure,' interrupted M. Vandeloup, 'but I am. He
won't stop at anything to get money. You stay all night in town?'

The dumb man assented.

'So do I,' replied Vandeloup; 'it's a happy coincidence, because I
see a chance of our getting that nugget.' Pierre's dull eyes
brightened, and he rubbed his hands together in a pleased manner.