"I don't think you are in any immediate danger, Mrs. Whippleton," I replied; and I did not believe that one who could talk as fast as she did was in any present peril. "But Charles will pester the life out of me to get this money and these papers. I'm afraid he's been doin' something that's wrong." "What do you wish me to do for you?" "I'll tell you, Philip. I know you're honest, and I will trust you just as far as any human bein' can be trusted," she continued; but she paused again, and I concluded that she was not quite satisfied to trust even me. "You believe I can trust you--don't you?" she added, taking the valuable package from under the bed-clothes. "You must be your own judge, Mrs. Whippleton." "I know I can!" she exclaimed, suddenly. "You would not rob a poor woman who is on her dying bed." "I certainly would not." "At any rate, I know Charles would rob me of every dollar I have in the world, and think he was smart to do it; but I don't believe you would," said she, extending the package towards me. "What do you wish me to do with it?" I replied, taking her treasure--her only treasure, it seemed to me, either in earth or in heaven. It was only the treasure where thieves break through and steal; and the thief was at hand--one whom she had trained up in the ways of worldly wisdom. "I don't know; only put it where Charles can't get it; that's all." "But I have no safe place for it." "You can put it somewhere. I feel better now it is out of my hands," she added, with a deep sigh. "Really, Mrs. Whippleton, I can't take charge of this. I am afraid it would make me as miserable as it has you." "You must take it, Philip. You are the only honest man I know of. Keep it safe, and when I'm gone,--if I'm goin' this time,--don't give it to anybody but my administrator." "I don't like to take it, Mrs. Whippleton." "That's the very reason why I want you to take it. If you was more willing, I shouldn't be so anxious to give it to you. I know you'll be careful of it." "I will tell you what I will do with it, if you are willing. I want to go to St. Louis to see my father. If Mr. Whippleton will let me off to-morrow, for a few days, I will go then. I will seal up the package, and my father will keep it in his safe." "Is your father honest?" "He is." "He must be if he is your father. Do as you think best. If he can put the money out at interest for me, I should like it all the better." "Very well. I will give you my receipt for this package, and that will at least be evidence that I took it, and at your request."