The robber told me
that the money was mine, taking me for another person; therefore I do
not consider it was given to me, nor do I consider that it was his to
give. I hardly know what to do about it, nor to whom the money can be
said to belong."
"Well, I think I can answer that question. The property of all
malefactors belongs to the king; and therefore this money belongs to
the king; and we may retain it for the king, or use it for his
service."
"Yes, it would have belonged to the king, had the man been condemned,
and hung on the gallows as he deserved; but he was not, and therefore
I think that it does not belong to the king."
"Then it belongs to whoever finds it, and who keeps it till it is
claimed--which will never be."
"I think I must speak to the intendant about it," replied Edward; "I
should feel more comfortable."
"Then do so," replied Humphrey; "I think you are right to have no
concealments from him."
"But, Humphrey," replied Edward, laughing, "what silly fellows we are!
we do not yet know whether we shall find any thing; we must first see
if there is any thing buried there; and when we have done so, then we
will decide how to act. I shall, if it please God, be over again in a
fortnight, and in the mean time, do you find out the place, and
ascertain if what the fellow said is true.
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