“Is there such a report, Jack?”

“Yes, mother, every one says so; why, I do not know; and as long as it is supposed, you will always be subject to attacks like this, unless, indeed, if you have money, you were to put it away safely, and let everybody know that you have done so.  Tell me truly, mother, have you any money?”

“Jack, what a boy you are to ask questions.  Well, perhaps I have a little—­a very little; but no one will ever find out where I have hidden it.”

“But they will try, mother, as this man has done, and you will always be in peril of your life.  Why not place it in the hands of some safe person?”

“Safe person!  Who’s safe nowadays?”

“Why, for instance, there’s Mr. Wilson.”

“Wilson! what do you know about him, Jack, except that he has a smooth face and a bald head?  You’re young, Jack, and don’t know the world.  The money’s safe where it is, and no one will ever find it.”

“If so, who is to find it after—­” I stopped, for I did not like to say, after she was dead.

“I know what you would have said, Jack; who’s to find it after my death?  That’s very true.  I never thought of that, and I must will it away.  I never thought of that, Jack, it’s very true, and I’m glad that you have mentioned it.  But who dare I tell? who can I trust?—­Can I trust you, Jack?—­can I?—­I ought, for it’s all for you, Jack, when I die.”

“Mother, whoever it may be for, you may, I hope, trust me.”

“Well, I think I can.  I’ll tell you where it is, Jack, and that will prove that it is for you, for nobody else will know where to find it.  But, Jack, dear, dear Jack, don’t you rob me, as my son did; don’t rob me, and leave me penniless, as he did; promise me?”

“I never will, mother; you need not be afraid.”

“Yes; so you say, and so he said; he swore and he cried too, Jack, and then he took it all, and left his mother without a farthing.”

“Well, mother, then don’t tell me; I’d rather not know.  You will only be uncomfortable, and so let the money go.”

“No, Jack, that won’t do either; I will tell you, for I can trust you.  But first, Jack, go out and look behind the house, that there is no one listening at the window; for if any one should hear—­go, look round carefully, and then come back.”

I did as she wished, and then Nanny bid me hold my head closer to her, while she whispered, “You must take the back out of the fireplace, and then pull out three bricks, and then put your hand into the hole, and you will find a small box; and there you will find a little money—­a very little, Jack, hardly worth having, but still it may be of some use; and it’s all yours when I die.  Jack—­I give it to you.”

“Mother, I’m thankful for your kindness, but I cannot touch it if you do die without you leave it to me by your will.”

“Ah! that’s true, Jack.  Well, tell Anderson to come here, and I’ll tell him I’ll leave the money to you; but I won’t tell him where it is, I’ll only say that I leave you everything I have.  They’ll suppose that it’s the shop and all the pretty things.”  Here she chuckled for some time.