"
"Well, what then?"
"Very much against my own inclination, I consented to open that desk
with a key in Rosamond's possession. I did not pry into the secrets of
its contents; but before me, in the tray intended for pens, I saw an
object which could not fail to attract my attention--which riveted my
gaze as surely as if I had 'lighted on a snake."
"What in the name of all that's bewildering could that object have
been?" cried the captain. "I don't keep many curiosities in my writing-
desk!"
"I will show you what I found that day," answered George. "The finding
of it changed the whole current of my life, and sent me away from that
once happy home a restless and miserable wanderer."
"The man's mad," muttered Captain Duncombe to himself; "he must be
mad!"
George Jernam took from his waistcoat pocket a tiny parcel, and
unfolding the paper covering, revealed a gold coin--the bent Brazilian
coin--which he placed in the captain's hands.
"Why! heaven have mercy on us!" cried Joseph Duncombe, "if that isn't
the ghost's money!"
There was astonishment plainly depicted on his countenance; but no look
of guilt. George Jernam watched his face as he contemplated the token,
and saw that it was not the face of a guilty man.
"Oh, captain, captain!" he exclaimed, remorsefully, "if I have
suspected you all this time for nothing?"
"Suspected me of what?"
"Of being concerned, more or less, in my brother's murder.
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