Dench remained in deep thought for some time. He was completely puzzled, and could not resolve what he should do. In the event of the cottage being sold, would it be advisable for him to buy it? But it could be of no use to him, and his ambition pointed to a public-house. To risk his money on the chance of finding the captain's hoard was altogether too precarious. Three times had the cottage been ransacked, and each time fruitlessly. Yet Olver was not satisfied. Rattenbury had boasted to him over his grog of his intentions with regard to Jack, and Rattenbury was not a man to lie, though he might exaggerate. He had not obscurely intimated that he was possessed of the means whereby he could carry out his intentions. Dench returned to the cottage, and as he entered he took with him the chopper which had been driven into a bench that stood by the door. It was used for cutting up the fuel. By this time Mrs. Marley had returned. 'Jane,' said he, 'don't look sour and turn crabbed. It must be done. Young Jack laid it on me, but I don't like doing his dirty work. He might have come and taken the job in hand himself, but he is a sneak, a miserable sneak, and he has gone to Beer and bound me to do it.' 'What is it?' 'He bade me break open your chest. He says that the captain's money has not been found, and that you have laid your hands on it. Says he, make the old cat give up the key, or break the lock off the chest. Turn everything out.' Her face flushed with anger. 'You take me for a thief!' 'Not I. I don't think you clever enough. But Jack――it is Jack's demand.' 'There is the key.' She threw it at his feet. Dench picked it up. She looked at him frowning and with scorn. He went to her chest and searched, to be once more disappointed. He returned to the kitchen, gave her the key and seated himself. He said nothing, but leaned his head in his hand. Think as he might, he could hit on no other place in which to search. 'Jane,' said he at length, despairing of finding what he sought, and changing the current of his thoughts, 'what are you going to do? Jack has made up his mind to sell the old place and every stick in it.' 'Sell the house!' Mrs. Marley considered. She put her knuckles to her lips. 'What will you do? Where will you go? I reckon you will have to make up your mind as to that.' 'Where I go, and what my plans are――these are no concerns of yours,' she answered. 'I shall find a home somewhere.' 'May not an old acquaintance――a friend you will not allow me to call myself――ask a civil question without meeting with a rude answer! Why, Jane, I have known you since you were a little girl. I knew you when you met with _him_. I know all about that bad business, and I have known you ever since, and have admired how you have kept yourself respectable. I should be a bad sort of a chap, and altogether without heart, were I to let you go and not ask about you.'