But I don't wed Jenny
if she don't want to wed me--not to please you, or nobody. And that brings
us to Tom Bond. At this moment I'm in a difficulty, because seeking, where
I counted to learn more about him, I've been headed off. His credentials
was all they should be, and Sir Walter didn't trouble to verify 'em; and
asking him for 'em a few days since, I was a good bit put about to hear
that master couldn't find 'em. But he dared me to say there was anything
wrong with Bond, because he thinks the world of the man and wouldn't have
him away on no account whatever."
"I'll lay my life the blackguard stole those credentials poking about
where he didn't ought," said Joshua; but I answered 'twas little likely.
"The master be almost sure to have destroyed 'em, for he's got a mania for
tearing up in a hurry," I explained, "and he'll often do so and lament too
late."
"I hope he did, then, and I'll tell you why," said Owlet to me. "And, come
to think of it, I guess he did, for Bond is terrible anxious and worried
and like a rat in a trap. He knows you are on his track and he knows that
if those credentials exist and you can put hand to 'em you'll mighty soon
find they was forged. So don't you whisper they can't be found."
"And how do you know they was forged?" I asked.
"Because he told me so," answered Joshua. "He came here about Jenny and
pitched a tale and I listened, and presently I found the man was far
different from what he makes out at Oakshotts.
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