I have acted all through for them as much as for myself.
It's been the sign of four with us always. Well I know that they
would have had me do just what I have done, and throw the
treasure into the Thames rather than let it go to kith or kin of
Sholto or of Morstan. It was not to make them rich that we did
for Achmet. You'll find the treasure where the key is, and where
little Tonga is. When I saw that your launch must catch us, I
put the loot away in a safe place. There are no rupees for you
this journey."
"You are deceiving us, Small," said Athelney Jones, sternly. "If
you had wished to throw the treasure into the Thames it would
have been easier for you to have thrown box and all."
"Easier for me to throw, and easier for you to recover," he
answered, with a shrewd, sidelong look. "The man that was clever
enough to hunt me down is clever enough to pick an iron box from
the bottom of a river. Now that they are scattered over five
miles or so, it may be a harder job. It went to my heart to do
it, though. I was half mad when you came up with us. However,
there's no good grieving over it. I've had ups in my life, and
I've had downs, but I've learned not to cry over spilled milk.
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