'Are you dumb, all at once, that you cannot speak when you are spoken to?' 'You haven't asked me any question yet.' 'Yes, I have; has Molly Brown told you what Ned Saunders said?' 'She has not.' 'Has she talked about it that you know of?' 'Not that I know of.' Cross sat silent for some time; at length making another effort, he disclosed his purpose. 'The fact is, the old woman knows too much for our good. She likes you well enough; you know that I suppose, and she has good reason to do so; you can stop her tongue if you will.' 'I should like to know how.' 'How? Why, by marrying Hettie; she can't hurt us then, without hurting her own child, and she won't be likely to do that. You shall have money enough: the barrens are pretty much all ours now, or they will be when this matter is once quashed.' 'How so?' 'Why, Rutherford's deed for them is burned up, and there is no record of it, and mine covers it all.' 'But suppose I should tell you that Rutherford's deed is not burnt?' 'How do you know it ain't?' and Cross arose from his seat in great excitement. 'Bill Brown has told all about it; he laid on the truck-bed under the counter the night you and old Foster were here together.' Dave looked at his father for the first time since the commencement of the interview. The dim light that came in through the open door just enabled him to see the ashy paleness that had over-spread his features. 'Get me some gin;' and Cross nearly fell into his chair as Dave stepped up to him. 'Get me some gin, I say; quick!' Dave immediately drew a tumbler of the clear liquor, and his father taking it with both hands, with difficulty put it to his mouth, so violent was his agitation; he accomplished it, however, and did not stop until the glass was empty. Drawing a long breath, he handed back the glass. 'Go sit down; I'll be better directly.' Some moments elapsed before he could resume the conversation. 'Who has Bill Brown told that lie to?' 'He has told it to his sister; whether it's a lie or not, I can't say. I shouldn't think he would be like to lie just now, with one foot in the grave.' Cross saw too clearly that his villany was fully exposed; he sat apparently stunned by the perils which now hovered over him. David at last broke silence. 'The best thing to be done is, to give Rutherford back his deed.' 'That can't be done; I have not got it, nor has it ever been in my hands. There is only one thing that can be of any use now, and that is to stop the mouths of that family; you can easily do that by marrying the daughter.' 'It takes two to make such a bargain as that.' 'You don't suppose she would be fool enough to refuse you?' 'Fool or no fool, she has refused me this very day.'