CHAPTERX。
THEARRESTOFUNCLESILAS
THEMawfulwordsfrozeussolid。Wecouldn’tmovehandorfootforasmuchashalfaminute。
Thenwekindofcometo，andliftedtheoldmanupandgothimintohischair，andBennypettedhimandkissedhimandtriedtocomforthim，andpooroldAuntSallyshedonethesame；but，poorthings，theywassobrokeupandscaredandknockedoutoftheirrightmindsthattheydidn’thardlyknowwhattheywasabout。WithTomitwasawful；it’mostpetrifiedhimtothinkmaybehehadgothisuncleintoathousandtimesmoretroublethanever，andmaybeitwouldn’teverhappenedifhehadn’tbeensoambitioustogetcelebrated，andletthecorpsealonethewaytheothersdone。Butprettysoonhesortofcometohimselfagainandsays：
"UncleSilas，don’tyousayanotherwordlikethat。
It’sdangerous，andthereain’tashadderoftruthinit。"
AuntSallyandBennywasthankfultohearhimsaythat，andtheysaidthesame；buttheoldmanhewaggedhisheadsorrowfulandhopeless，andthetearsrundownhisface，andhesays；
"No——Idoneit；poorJubiter，Idoneit！"
Itwasdreadfultohearhimsayit。Thenhewentonandtoldaboutit，andsaidithappenedthedaymeandTomcome——alongaboutsundown。HesaidJubiterpesteredhimandaggravatedhimtillhewassomadhejustsortoflosthismindandgrabbedupastickandhithimovertheheadwithallhismight，andJubiterdroppedinhistracks。Thenhewasscaredandsorry，andgotdownonhiskneesandliftedhisheadup，andbeggedhimtospeakandsayhewasn’tdead；
andbeforelonghecometo，andwhenheseewhoitwasholdinghishead，hejumpedlikehewas’mostscaredtodeath，andclearedthefenceandtoreintothewoods，andwasgone。Sohehopedhewasn’thurtbad。
"Butlaws，"hesays，"itwasonlyjustfearthatgavehimthatlastlittlespurtofstrength，andofcourseitsoonplayedoutandhelaiddowninthebush，andtherewasn’tanybodytohelphim，andhedied。"
Thentheoldmancriedandgrieved，andsaidhewasamurdererandthemarkofCainwasonhim，andhehaddisgracedhisfamilyandwasgoingtobefoundoutandhung。ButTomsaid：
"No，youain’tgoingtobefoundout。YouDIDN’T
killhim。ONElickwouldn’tkillhim。Somebodyelsedoneit。"
"Oh，yes，"hesays，"Idoneit——nobodyelse。
Whoelsehadanythingagainsthim？WhoelseCOULD
haveanythingagainsthim？"
Helookedupkindoflikehehopedsomeofuscouldmentionsomebodythatcouldhaveagrudgeagainstthatharmlessno-account，butofcourseitwarn’tnouse——heHADus；wecouldn’tsayaword。Henoticedthat，andhesaddeneddownagain，andIneverseeafacesomiserableandsopitifultosee。Tomhadasuddenidea，andsays：
"Butholdon！——somebodyBURIEDhim。Nowwho——"
Heshutoffsudden。Iknowedthereason。Itgivemethecoldshudderswhenhesaidthemwords，becauserightawayIrememberedaboutusseeingUncleSilasprowlingaroundwithalong-handledshovelawayinthenightthatnight。AndIknowedBennyseenhim，too，becauseshewastalkingaboutitoneday。TheminuteTomshutoffhechangedthesubjectandwenttobeggingUncleSilastokeepmum，andtherestofusdonethesame，andsaidheMUST，andsaiditwasn’thisbusinesstotellonhimself，andifhekeptmumnobodywouldeverknow；butifitwasfoundoutandanyharmcometohimitwouldbreakthefamily’sheartsandkillthem，andyetneverdoanybodyanygood。
Soatlasthepromised。Wewasallofusmorecom-
fortable，then，andwenttoworktocheeruptheoldman。Wetoldhimallhe’dgottodowastokeepstill，anditwouldn’tbelongtillthewholethingwouldblowoverandbeforgot。Weallsaidtherewouldn’tany-
bodyeversuspectUncleSilas，noreverdreamofsuchathing，hebeingsogoodandkind，andhavingsuchagoodcharacter；andTomsays，cordialandhearty，hesays：
"Why，justlookatitaminute；justconsider。
HereisUncleSilas，alltheseyearsapreacher——athisownexpense；alltheseyearsdoinggoodwithallhismightandeverywayhecanthinkof——athisownex-
pense，allthetime；alwaysbeenlovedbyeverybody，andrespected；alwaysbeenpeaceableandmindinghisownbusiness，theverylastmaninthiswholedeestricttotouchaperson，andeverybodyknowsit。SuspectHIM？Why，itain’tanymorepossiblethan——"
"ByauthorityoftheStateofArkansaw，IarrestyouforthemurderofJubiterDunlap！"shoutsthesheriffatthedoor。
Itwasawful。AuntSallyandBennyflungthemselvesatUncleSilas，screamingandcrying，andhuggedhimandhungtohim，andAuntSallysaidgoaway，shewouldn’tevergivehimup，theyshouldn’thavehim，andtheniggerstheycomecrowdingandcryingtothedoorand——well，Icouldn’tstandit；itwasenoughtobreakaperson’sheart；soIgotout。
Theytookhimuptothelittleone-horsejailinthevillage，andweallwentalongtotellhimgood-bye；
andTomwasfeelingelegant，andsaystome，"We’llhaveamostnoblegoodtimeandheapsofdangersomedarknightgettinghimoutofthere，Huck，andit’llbetalkedabouteverywheresandwewillbecelebrated；"
buttheoldmanbustedthatschemeuptheminutehewhisperedtohimaboutit。Hesaidno，itwashisdutytostandwhateverthelawdonetohim，andhewouldsticktothejailplumbthroughtotheend，eveniftherewarn’tnodoortoit。ItdisappointedTomandgraveledhimagooddeal，buthehadtoputupwithit。
ButhefeltresponsibleandboundtogethisuncleSilasfree；andhetoldAuntSally，thelastthing，nottoworry，becausehewasgoingtoturninandworknightanddayandbeatthisgameandfetchUncleSilasoutinnocent；andshewasverylovingtohimandthankedhimandsaidsheknowedhewoulddohisverybest。AndshetoldustohelpBennytakecareofthehouseandthechildren，andthenwehadagood-byecryallaroundandwentbacktothefarm，andlefthertheretolivewiththejailer’swifeamonthtillthetrialinOctober。
CHAPTERXI。
TOMSAWYERDISCOVERSTHEMURDERERS
WELL，thatwasahardmonthonusall。PoorBenny，shekeptupthebestshecould，andmeandTomtriedtokeepthingscheerfulthereatthehouse，butitkindofwentfornothing，asyoumaysay。
Itwasthesameupatthejail。Wewentupeverydaytoseetheoldpeople，butitwasawfuldreary，becausetheoldmanwarn’tsleepingmuch，andwaswalkinginhissleepconsiderableandsohegottolookingfaggedandmiserable，andhismindgotshaky，andweallgotafraidhistroubleswouldbreakhimdownandkillhim。
Andwheneverwetriedtopersuadehimtofeelcheer-
fuler，heonlyshookhisheadandsaidifweonlyknowedwhatitwastocarryaroundamurderer’sloadinyourheartwewouldn’ttalkthatway。TomandallofuskepttellinghimitWASN’Tmurder，butjustacci-
dentalkilling！butitnevermadeanydifference——itwasmurder，andhewouldn’thaveitanyotherway。Heactu’lybeguntocomeoutplainandsquaretowardstrialtimeandacknowledgethatheTRIEDtokilltheman。
Why，thatwasawful，youknow。Itmadethingsseemfiftytimesasdreadful，andtherewarn’tnomorecom-
fortforAuntSallyandBenny。Buthepromisedhewouldn’tsayawordabouthismurderwhenotherswasaround，andwewasgladofthat。
TomSawyerrackedtheheadoffofhimselfallthatmonthtryingtoplansomewayoutforUncleSilas，andmany’sthenighthekeptmeup’mostallnightwiththiskindoftiresomework，buthecouldn’tseemtogetontherighttracknoway。Asforme，Ireckonedabodymightaswellgiveitup，italllookedsoblueandIwassodownhearted；buthewouldn’t。Hestucktothebusinessrightalong，andwentonplanningandthinkingandransackinghishead。
Soatlastthetrialcomeon，towardsthemiddleofOctober，andwewasallinthecourt。Theplacewasjammed，ofcourse。PooroldUncleSilas，helookedmorelikeadeadpersonthanaliveone，hiseyeswassohollowandhelookedsothinandsomournful。BennyshesetononesideofhimandAuntSallyontheother，andtheyhadveilson，andwasfulloftrouble。ButTomhesetbyourlawyer，andhadhisfingerinevery-
wheres，ofcourse。Thelawyerlethim，andthejudgelethim。He’mosttookthebusinessoutofthelaw-
yer’shandssometimes；whichwaswellenough，be-
causethatwasonlyamud-turtleofaback-settlementlawyeranddidn’tknowenoughtocomeinwhenitrains，asthesayingis。
Theysworeinthejury，andthenthelawyerfortheprostitutiongotupandbegun。Hemadeaterriblespeechagainsttheoldman，thatmadehimmoanandgroan，andmadeBennyandAuntSallycry。ThewayHEtoldaboutthemurderkindofknockedusallstupiditwassodifferentfromtheoldman’stale。HesaidhewasgoingtoprovethatUncleSilaswasSEENtokillJubiterDunlapbytwogoodwitnesses，anddoneitdeliberate，andSAIDhewasgoingtokillhimtheveryminutehehithimwiththeclub；andtheyseenhimhideJubiterinthebushes，andtheyseenthatJubiterwasstone-dead。AndsaidUncleSilascomelaterandluggedJubiterdownintothetobackerfield，andtwomenseenhimdoit。AndsaidUncleSilasturnedout，awayinthenight，andburiedJubiter，andamanseenhimatit。
Isaystomyself，pooroldUncleSilashasbeenlyingaboutitbecausehereckonednobodyseenhimandhecouldn’tbeartobreakAuntSally’sheartandBenny’s；
andrighthewas：asforme，Iwould’a’liedthesameway，andsowouldanybodythathadanyfeeling，tosavethemsuchmiseryandsorrowwhichTHEYwarn’tnowaysresponsiblefor。Well，itmadeourlawyerlookprettysick；anditknockedTomsilly，too，foralittlespell，butthenhebracedupandletonthathewarn’tworried——butIknowedheWAS，allthesame。
Andthepeople——my，butitmadeastiramongstthem！
Andwhenthatlawyerwasdonetellingthejurywhathewasgoingtoprove，hesetdownandbeguntoworkhiswitnesses。
First，hecalledalotofthemtoshowthattherewasbadbloodbetwixtUncleSilasandthediseased；andtheytoldhowtheyhadheardUncleSilasthreatenthediseased，atonetimeandanother，andhowitgotworseandworseandeverybodywastalkingaboutit，andhowdiseasedgotafraidofhislife，andtoldtwoorthreeofthemhewascertainUncleSilaswouldupandkillhimsometimeoranother。
Tomandourlawyeraskedthemsomequestions；
butitwarn’tnouse，theystucktowhattheysaid。
Next，theycalledupLemBeebe，andhetookthestand。Itcomeintomymind，then，howLemandJimLanehadcomealongtalking，thattime，aboutborrow-
ingadogorsomethingfromJubiterDunlap；andthatbroughtuptheblackberriesandthelantern；andthatbroughtupBillandJackWithers，andhowtheypassedby，talkingaboutaniggerstealingUncleSilas’scorn；
andthatfetchedupouroldghostthatcomealongaboutthesametimeandscaredusso——andhereHE
wastoo，andaprivilegedcharacter，onaccountsofhisbeingdeefanddumbandastranger，andtheyhadfixedhimachairinsidetherailing，wherehecouldcrosshislegsandbecomfortable，whilsttheotherpeoplewasallinajamsotheycouldn’thardlybreathe。Soitallcomebacktomejustthewayitwasthatday；anditmadememournfultothinkhowpleasantitwasuptothen，andhowmiserableeversince。
LEMBEEBE，sworn，said——"Iwasa-comingalong，thatday，secondofSeptember，andJimLanewaswithme，anditwastowardssundown，andweheardloudtalk，likequarrelling，andwewasveryclose，onlythehazelbushesbetween（that’salongthefence）；
andweheardavoicesay，’I’vetoldyoumore’nonceI’dkillyou，’andknoweditwasthisprisoner’svoice；andthenweseeaclubcomeupabovethebushesanddownoutofsightagain。andheardasmashingthumpandthenagroanortwo：andthenwecropesofttowherewecouldsee，andtherelaidJupiterDunlapdead，andthisprisonerstandingoverhimwiththeclub；andthenexthehauledthedeadmanintoaclumpofbushesandhidhim，andthenwestoopedlow，tobecutofsight，andgotaway。"
Well，itwasawful。Itkindoffrozeeverybody’sbloodtohearit，andthehousewas’mostasstillwhilsthewastellingitasiftherewarn’tnobodyinit。Andwhenhewasdone，youcouldhearthemgaspandsigh，alloverthehouse，andlookatoneanotherthesameastosay，"Ain’titperfectlyterrible——ain’titawful！"
Nowhappenedathingthatastonishedme。Allthetimethefirstwitnesseswasprovingthebadbloodandthethreatsandallthat，TomSawyerwasaliveandlay-
ingforthem；andtheminutetheywasthrough，hewentforthem，anddonehislevelbesttocatchtheminliesandspiletheirtestimony。Butnow，howdifferent。
WhenLemfirstbeguntotalk，andneversaidanythingaboutspeakingtoJubiterortryingtoborrowadogoffofhim，hewasallaliveandlayingforLem，andyoucouldseehewasgettingreadytocross-questionhimtodeathprettysoon，andthenIjudgedhimandmewouldgoonthestandbyandbyandtellwhatweheardhimandJimLanesay。ButthenexttimeIlookedatTomIgotthecoldshivers。Why，hewasinthebrowneststudyyoueversee——milesandmilesaway。Hewarn’thearingawordLemBeebewassaying；andwhenhegotthroughhewasstillinthatbrown-study，justthesame。Ourlawyerjoggledhim，andthenhelookedupstartled，andsays，"Takethewitnessifyouwanthim。
Lemmealone——Iwanttothink。"
Well，thatbeatme。Icouldn’tunderstandit。AndBennyandhermother——oh，theylookedsick，theywassotroubled。Theyshovedtheirveilstoonesideandtriedtogethiseye，butitwarn’tanyuse，andI
couldn’tgethiseyeeither。Sothemud-turtlehetackledthewitness，butitdidn’tamounttonothing；
andhemadeamessofit。
ThentheycalledupJimLane，andhetoldtheverysamestoryoveragain，exact。Tomneverlistenedtothisoneatall，butsettherethinkingandthinking，milesandmilesaway。Sothemud-turtlewentinaloneagainandcomeoutjustasflatashedonebefore。Thelawyerfortheprostitutionlookedverycomfortable，butthejudgelookeddisgusted。Yousee，Tomwasjustthesameasaregularlawyer，nearly，becauseitwasArkansawlawforaprisonertochooseanybodyhewantedtohelphislawyer，andTomhadhadUncleSilasshovehimintothecase，andnowhewasbotchingitandyoucouldseethejudgedidn’tlikeitmuch。
Allthatthemud-turtlegotoutofLemandJimwasthis：heaskedthem：
"Whydidn’tyougoandtellwhatyousaw？"
"Wewasafraidwewouldgetmixedupinitour-
selves。Andwewasjuststartingdowntherivera-huntingforalltheweekbesides；butassoonaswecomebackwefoundoutthey’dbeensearchingforthebody，sothenwewentandtoldBraceDunlapallaboutit。"
"Whenwasthat？"
"Saturdaynight，September9th。"
Thejudgehespokeupandsays：
"Mr。Sheriff，arrestthesetwowitnessesonsuspicionsofbeingaccessionaryafterthefacttothemurder。"
Thelawyerfortheprostitutionjumpsupallexcited，andsays：
"Yourhonor！Iprotestagainstthisextraordi——"
"Setdown！"saysthejudge，pullinghisbowieandlayingitonhispulpit。"IbegyoutorespecttheCourt。"
Sohedoneit。ThenhecalledBillWithers。
BILLWITHERS，sworn，said："Iwascomingalongaboutsundown，Saturday，September2d，bytheprisoner’sfield，andmybrotherJackwaswithmeandweseenamantotingoffsomethingheavyonhisbackandalloweditwasaniggerstealingcorn；wecouldn’tseedistinct；nextwemadeoutthatitwasonemancarryinganother；andthewayithung，sokindoflimp，wejudgeditwassomebodythatwasdrunk；andbytheman’swalkwesaiditwasParsonSilas，andwejudgedhehadfoundSamCooperdrunkintheroad，whichhewasalwaystryingtoreformhim，andwastotinghimoutofdanger。"
ItmadethepeopleshivertothinkofpooroldUncleSilastotingoffthediseaseddowntotheplaceinhistobackerfieldwherethedogdugupthebody，buttherewarn’tmuchsympathyaroundamongstthefaces，andIheardonecusssay"’TisthecoldestbloodedworkIeverstruck，luggingamurderedmanaroundlikethat，andgoingtoburyhimlikeaanimal，andhimapreacheratthat。"
Tomhewentonthinking，andnevertooknonotice；
soourlawyertookthewitnessanddonethebesthecould，anditwasplentypoorenough。
ThenJackWithershecomeonthestandandtoldthesametale，justlikeBilldone。
AndafterhimcomesBraceDunlap，andhewaslook-
ingverymournful，andmostcrying；andtherewasarustleandastirallaround，andeverybodygotreadytolisten，andlostofthewomenfolkssaid，"Poorcretur，poorcretur，"andyoucouldseeamanyofthemwip-
ingtheireyes。
BRACEDUNLAP，sworn，said："Iwasinconsiderabletroublealongtimeaboutmypoorbrother，butI
reckonedthingswarn’tnearsobadashemadeout，andIcouldn’tmakemyselfbelieveanybodywouldhavethehearttohurtapoorharmlesscreturlikethat"——[byjings，IwassureIseenTomgiveakindofafaintlittlestart，andthenlookdisappointedagain]——"andyouknowICOULDN’T
thinkapreacherwouldhurthim——itwarn’tnaturaltothinksuchanonlikelything——soIneverpaidmuchattention，andnowIsha’n’tever，everforgivemyself；forifIhadadonedifferent，mypoorbrotherwouldbewithmethisday，andnotlayingyondermurdered，andhimsoharmless。"Hekindofbrokedownthereandchokedup，andwaitedtogethisvoice；andpeopleallaroundsaidthemostpitifulthings，andwomencried；anditwasverystillinthere，andsolemn，andoldUncleSilas，poorthing，hegiveagroanrightoutsoeverybodyheardhim。ThenBracehewenton，"Saturday，September2d，hedidn’tcomehometosupper。
By-and-byIgotalittleuneasy，andoneofmyniggerswentovertothisprisoner’splace，butcomebackandsaidhewarn’tthere。SoIgotuneasieranduneasier，andcouldn’trest。Iwenttobed，butIcouldn’tsleep；andturnedout，awaylateinthenight，andwentwanderingovertothisprisoner’splaceandallaroundaboutthereagoodwhile，hopingIwouldrunacrossmypoorbrother，andneverknowinghewasoutofhistroublesandgonetoabettershore——"Sohebrokedownandchokedupagain，andmostallthewomenwascryingnow。Prettysoonhegotanotherstartandsays："Butitwarn’tnouse；
soatlastIwenthomeandtriedtogetsomesleep，butcouldn’t。Well，inadayortwoeverybodywasuneasy，andtheygottotalkingaboutthisprisoner’sthreats，andtooktotheidea，whichIdidn’ttakenostockin，thatmybrotherwasmurderedsotheyhuntedaroundandtriedtofindhisbody，butcouldn’tandgiveitup。AndsoIreckonedhewasgoneoffsomerstohavealittlepeace，andwouldcomebacktouswhenhistroubleswaskindofhealed。
ButlateSaturdaynight，the9th，LemBeebeandJimLanecometomyhouseandtoldmeall——toldmethewholeawful’sassination，andmyheartwasbroke。AndTHENIrememberedsomethingthathadn’ttooknoholdofmeatthetime，becausereportssaidthisprisonerhadtooktowalkinginhissleepanddoingallkindofthingsofnoconsequence，notknowingwhathewasabout。Iwilltellyouwhatthatthingwasthatcomebackintomymemory。AwaylatethatawfulSaturdaynightwhenIwaswanderingaroundaboutthisprisoner’splace，grievingandtroubled，Iwasdownbythecornerofthetobacker-
fieldandIheardasoundlikedigginginagrittysoil；andIcropenearerandpeepedthroughthevinesthathungontherailfenceandseenthisprisonerSHOVELING——shovelingwithalong-handledshovel——heavingearthintoabigholethatwasmostfilledup；hisbackwastome，butitwasbrightmoonlightandIknowedhimbyhisoldgreenbaizework-gownwithasplatterywhitepatchinthemiddleofthebacklikesomebodyhadhithimwithasnowball。HEWASBURYINGTHEMANHE’DMURDERED！"
Andheslumpeddowninhischaircryingandsob-
bing，and’mosteverybodyinthehousebustedoutwailing，andcrying，andsaying，"Oh，it’sawful——
awful——horrible！andtherewasamosttremendousex-
citement，andyoucouldn’thearyourselfthink；andrightinthemidstofitupjumpsoldUncleSilas，whiteasasheet，andsingsout：
"IT’STRUE，EVERYWORD——IMURDEREDHIMINCOLD
BLOOD！"
ByJackson，itpetrifiedthem！Peopleroseupwildalloverthehouse，strainingandstaringforabetterlookathim，andthejudgewashammeringwithhismalletandthesheriffyelling"Order——orderinthecourt——
order！"
Andallthewhiletheoldmanstoodtherea-quakingandhiseyesa-burning，andnotlookingathiswifeanddaughter，whichwasclingingtohimandbegginghimtokeepstill，butpawingthemoffwithhishandsandsayingheWOULDclearhisblacksoulfromcrime，heWOULDheaveoffthisloadthatwasmorethanhecouldbear，andheWOULDN’Tbearitanotherhour！Andthenheragedrightalongwithhisawfultale，every-
bodya-staringandgasping，judge，jury，lawyers，andeverybody，andBennyandAuntSallycryingtheirheartsout。AndbyGeorge，TomSawyerneverlookedathimonce！Neveronce——justsettheregazingwithallhiseyesatsomethingelse，Icouldn’ttellwhat。Andsotheoldmanragedrightalong，pouringhiswordsoutlikeastreamoffire：
"Ikilledhim！Iamguilty！ButIneverhadthenotioninmylifetohurthimorharmhim，spiteofallthemliesaboutmythreateninghim，tilltheveryminuteIraisedtheclub——thenmyheartwentcold！——
thenthepityallwentoutofit，andIstrucktokill！Inthatonemomentallmywrongscomeintomymind；
alltheinsultsthatthatmanandthescoundrelhisbrother，there，hadputuponme，andhowtheylaidintogethertoruinmewiththepeople，andtakeawaymygoodname，andDRIVEmetosomedeedthatwoulddestroymeandmyfamilythathadn’teverdoneTHEM
noharm，sohelpmeGod！Andtheydoneitinameanrevenge——forwhy？Becausemyinnocentpuregirlhereatmysidewouldn’tmarrythatrich，insolent，ignorantcoward，BraceDunlap，who’sbeensnivelinghereoverabrotherhenevercaredabrassfarthingfor——"[IseeTomgiveajumpandlookgladTHIStime，toadeadcertainty]"——andinthatmomentI’vetoldyouabout，IforgotmyGodandrememberedonlymyheart’sbitterness，Godforgiveme，andIstrucktokill。
InonesecondIwasmiserablysorry——oh，filledwithremorse；butIthoughtofmypoorfamily，andIMUST
hidewhatI’ddonefortheirsakes；andIdidhidethatcorpseinthebushes；andpresentlyIcarriedittothetobackerfield；andinthedeepnightIwentwithmyshovelandburieditwhere——"
UpjumpsTomandshouts：
"NOW，I’vegotit！"andwaveshishand，oh，eversofineandstarchy，towardstheoldman，andsays：
"Setdown！AmurderWASdone，butyouneverhadnohandinit！"
Well，sir，youcouldaheardapindrop。AndtheoldmanhesunkdownkindofbewilderedinhisseatandAuntSallyandBennydidn’tknowit，becausetheywassoastonishedandstaringatTomwiththeirmouthsopenandnotknowingwhattheywasabout。
Andthewholehousethesame。Ineverseenpeoplelooksohelplessandtangledup，andIhain’teverseeneyesbugoutandgazewithoutablinkthewaytheirndid。Tomsays，perfectlyca’m：
"Yourhonor，mayIspeak？"
"ForGod’ssake，yes——goon！"saysthejudge，soastonishedandmixeduphedidn’tknowwhathewasabouthardly。
ThenTomhestoodthereandwaitedasecondortwo——thatwasfortoworkupan"effect，"ashecallsit——thenhestartedinjustasca’masever，andsays：
"Forabouttwoweeksnowthere’sbeenalittlebillstickingonthefrontofthiscourthouseofferingtwothousanddollarsrewardforacoupleofbigdi’monds——stoleatSt。Louis。Themdi’mondsisworthtwelvethousanddollars。ButnevermindaboutthattillIgettoit。Nowaboutthismurder。Iwilltellyouallaboutit——howithappened——whodoneit——everyDEtail。"
Youcouldseeeverybodynestlenow，andbegintolistenforalltheywasworth。
"Thismanhere，BraceDunlap，that’sbeensnivelingsoabouthisdeadbrotherthatYOUknowhenevercaredastrawfor，wantedtomarrythatyounggirlthere，andshewouldn’thavehim。SohetoldUncleSilashewouldmakehimsorry。UncleSilasknowedhowpowerfulhewas，andhowlittlechancehehadagainstsuchaman，andhewasscaredandworried，anddoneeverythinghecouldthinkoftosmoothhimoverandgethimtobegoodtohim：heeventookhisno-
accountbrotherJubiteronthefarmandgivehimwagesandstintedhisownfamilytopaythem；andJubiterdoneeverythinghisbrothercouldcontrivetoinsultUncleSilas，andfretandworryhim，andtrytodriveUncleSilasintodoinghimahurt，soastoinjureUncleSilaswiththepeople。Anditdoneit。Everybodyturnedagainsthimandsaidthemeanestkindofthingsabouthim，anditgradulybrokehisheart——yes，andhewassoworriedanddistressedthatoftenhewarn’thardlyinhisrightmind。
"Well，onthatSaturdaythatwe’vehadsomuchtroubleabout，twoofthesewitnesseshere，LemBeebeandJimLane，comealongbywhereUncleSilasandJubiterDunlapwasatwork——andthatmuchofwhatthey’vesaidistrue，therestislies。Theydidn’thearUncleSilassayhewouldkillJubiter；theydidn’thearnoblowstruck；theydidn’tseenodeadman，andtheydidn’tseeUncleSilashideanythinginthebushes。
Lookatthemnow——howtheysetthere，wishingtheyhadn’tbeensohandywiththeirtongues；anyway，they’llwishitbeforeIgetdone。
"ThatsameSaturdayeveningBillandJackWithersDIDseeonemanluggingoffanotherone。Thatmuchofwhattheysaidistrue，andtherestislies。FirstofftheythoughtitwasaniggerstealingUncleSilas’scorn——younoticeitmakesthemlooksilly，now，tofindoutsomebodyoverheardthemsaythat。That’sbecausetheyfoundoutbyandbywhoitwasthatwasdoingthelugging，andTHEYknowbestwhytheysworeherethattheytookitforUncleSilasbythegait——whichitWASN’T，andtheyknoweditwhentheysworetothatlie。
"AmanoutinthemoonlightDIDseeamurderedpersonputundergroundinthetobackerfield——butitwasn’tUncleSilasthatdonetheburying。Hewasinhisbedatthatverytime。
"Now，then，beforeIgoon，Iwanttoaskyouifyou’veevernoticedthis：thatpeople，whenthey’rethinkingdeep，orwhenthey’reworried，aremostalwaysdoingsomethingwiththeirhands，andtheydon’tknowit，anddon’tnoticewhatitistheirhandsaredoing。
somestroketheirchins；somestroketheirnoses；somestrokeupUNDERtheirchinwiththeirhand；sometwirlachain，somefumbleabutton，thenthere’ssomethatdrawsafigureoraletterwiththeirfingerontheircheek，orundertheirchinorontheirunderlip。That’sMYway。WhenI’mrestless，orworried，orthinkinghard，IdrawcapitalV’sonmycheekoronmyunderliporundermychin，andneveranythingBUTcapitalV’s——andhalfthetimeIdon’tnoticeitanddon’tknowI’mdoingit。"
Thatwasodd。ThatisjustwhatIdo；onlyImakeanO。AndIcouldseepeoplenoddingtooneanother，sameastheydowhentheymean"THAT’sso。"
"Now，then，I’llgoon。ThatsameSaturday——no，itwasthenightbefore——therewasasteamboatlayingatFlagler’sLanding，fortymilesabovehere，anditwasrainingandstorminglikethenation。Andtherewasathiefaboard，andhehadthemtwobigdi’mondsthat’sadvertisedouthereonthiscourthousedoor；
andheslippedashorewithhishand-bagandstruckoutintothedarkandthestorm，andhewasa-hopinghecouldgettothistownallrightandbesafe。Buthehadtwopalsaboardtheboat，hiding，andheknowedtheywasgoingtokillhimthefirstchancetheygotandtakethedi’monds；becauseallthreestolethem，andthenthisfellowhegotholdofthemandskipped。
"Well，hehadn’tbeengonemore’ntenminutesbe-
forehispalsfounditout，andtheyjumpedashoreandlitoutafterhim。Prob’lytheyburntmatchesandfoundhistracks。Anyway，theydoggedalongafterhimalldaySaturdayandkeptoutofhissight；andtowardssundownhecometothebunchofsycamoresdownbyUncleSilas’sfield，andhewentintheretogetadisguiseoutofhishand-bagandputitonbeforeheshowedhimselfhereinthetown——andmindyouhedonethatjustalittleafterthetimethatUncleSilaswashittingJubiterDunlapovertheheadwithaclub——forheDIDhithim。
"Buttheminutethepalsseethatthiefslideintothebunchofsycamores，theyjumpedoutofthebushesandslidinafterhim。
"Theyfellonhimandclubbedhimtodeath。
"Yes，forallhescreamedandhowledso，theyneverhadnomercyonhim，butclubbedhimtodeath。Andtwomenthatwasrunningalongtheroadheardhimyellingthatway，andtheymadearushintothesyca-imorebunch——whichwaswheretheywasboundfor，anyway——andwhenthepalssawthemtheylitoutandthetwonewmenafterthema-chasingthemastightastheycouldgo。Butonlyaminuteortwo——thenthesetwonewmenslippedbackveryquietintothesyca-
mores。
"THENwhatdidtheydo？Iwilltellyouwhattheydone。Theyfoundwherethethiefhadgothisdisguiseoutofhiscarpet-sacktoputon；sooneofthemstripsandputsonthatdisguise。"
Tomwaitedalittlehere，forsomemore"effect"——
thenhesays，verydeliberate：
"Themanthatputonthatdeadman’sdisguisewas——JUBITERDUNLAP！"
"GreatScott！"everybodyshouted，alloverthehouse，andoldUncleSilashelookedperfectlyastonished。
"Yes，itwasJubiterDunlap。Notdead，yousee。
Thentheypulledoffthedeadman’sbootsandputJubiterDunlap’soldraggedshoesonthecorpseandputthecorpse’sbootsonJubiterDunlap。ThenJubiterDunlapstayedwherehewas，andtheothermanluggedthedeadbodyoffinthetwilight；andaftermidnighthewenttoUncleSilas’shouse，andtookhisoldgreenwork-robeoffofthepegwhereitalwayshangsinthepassagebetwixtthehouseandthekitchenandputiton，andstolethelong-handledshovelandwentoffdownintothetobackerfieldandburiedthemurderedman。"
Hestopped，andstoodhalfaminute。Then——
"AndwhodoyoureckonthemurderedmanWAS？
Itwas——JAKEDunlap，thelong-lostburglar！"
"GreatScott！"
"Andthemanthatburiedhimwas——BRACEDunlap，hisbrother！"
"GreatScott！"
"Andwhodoyoureckonisthismowingidiotherethat’slettingonalltheseweekstobeadeefanddumbstranger？It’s——JUBITERDunlap！"
Myland，theyallbustedoutinahowl，andyouneverseethelikeofthatexcitementsincethedayyouwasborn。AndTomhemadeajumpforJubiterandsnakedoffhisgogglesandhisfalsewhiskers，andtherewasthemurderedman，sureenough，justasaliveasanybody！AndAuntSallyandBennytheywenttohuggingandcryingandkissingandsmotheringoldUncleSilastothatdegreehewasmoremuddledandconfusedandmushedupinhismindthanheeverwasbefore，andthatissayingconsiderable。Andnext，peoplebeguntoyell：
"TomSawyer！TomSawyer！Shutupevery-
body，andlethimgoon！Goon，TomSawyer！"
Whichmadehimfeeluncommonbully，foritwasnutsforTomSawyertobeapubliccharacterthat-
away，andahero，ashecallsit。Sowhenitwasallquiet，hesays：
"Thereain’tmuchleft，onlythis。Whenthatmanthere，BruceDunlap，hadmostworriedthelifeandsenseoutofUncleSilastillatlastheplumblosthismindandhitthisotherblatherskite，hisbrother，withaclub，Ireckonheseenhischance。Jubiterbrokeforthewoodstohide，andIreckonthegamewasforhimtoslideout，inthenight，andleavethecountry。
ThenBracewouldmakeeverybodybelieveUncleSilaskilledhimandhidhisbodysomers；andthatwouldruinUncleSilasanddriveHIMoutofthecountry——
hanghim，maybe；Idunno。Butwhentheyfoundtheirdeadbrotherinthesycamoreswithoutknowinghim，becausehewassobatteredup，theyseetheyhadabetterthing；disguiseBOTHandburyJakeanddighimuppresentlyalldressedupinJubiter’sclothes，andhireJimLaneandBillWithersandtheotherstosweartosomehandylies——whichtheydone。Andtheretheyset，now，andItoldthemtheywouldbelookingsickbeforeIgotdone，andthatisthewaythey’relookingnow。
"Well，meandHuckFinnhere，wecomedownontheboatwiththethieves，andthedeadonetoldusallaboutthedi’monds，andsaidtheotherswouldmurderhimiftheygotthechance；andwewasgoingtohelphimallwecould。Wewasboundforthesycamoreswhenweheardthemkillinghiminthere；butwewasinthereintheearlymorningafterthestormandallowednobodyhadn’tbeenkilled，afterall。AndwhenweseeJubiterDunlapherespreadingaroundintheverysamedisguiseJaketoldusHEwasgoingtowear，wethoughtitwasJakehisownself——andhewasgoo-gooingdeefanddumb，andTHATwasaccordingtoagreement。
"Well，meandHuckwentonhuntingforthecorpseaftertheothersquit，andwefoundit。Andwasproud，too；butUncleSilasheknockeduscrazybytellingusHEkilledtheman。Sowewasmightysorrywefoundthebody，andwasboundtosaveUncleSilas’sneckifwecould；anditwasgoingtobetoughwork，too，becausehewouldn’tletusbreakhimoutofprisonthewaywedonewithouroldniggerJim。
"IdoneeverythingIcouldthewholemonthtothinkupsomewaytosaveUncleSilas，butIcouldn’tstrikeathing。Sowhenwecomeintocourtto-dayIcomeempty，andcouldn’tseenochanceanywheres。ButbyandbyIhadaglimpseofsomethingthatsetmethinking——justalittleweeglimpse——onlythat，andnotenoughtomakesure；butitsetmethinkinghard——andWATCHING，whenIwasonlylettingontothink；
andbyandby，sureenough，whenUncleSilaswaspil-
ingoutthatstuffaboutHIMkillingJubiterDunlap，I
catchedthatglimpseagain，andthistimeIjumpedupandshutdowntheproceedings，becauseIKNOWED
JubiterDunlapwasa-settingherebeforeme。IknowedhimbyathingwhichIseenhimdo——andIremem-
beredit。I’dseenhimdoitwhenIwashereayearago。"
Hestoppedthen，andstudiedaminute——layingforan"effect"——Iknoweditperfectlywell。Thenheturnedofflikehewasgoingtoleavetheplatform，andsays，kindoflazyandindifferent：
"Well，Ibelievethatisall。"
Why，youneverheardsuchahowl！——anditcomefromthewholehouse：
"WhatWASityouseenhimdo？Staywhereyouare，youlittledevil！Youthinkyouaregoingtoworkabodyuptillhismouth’sa-wateringandstopthere？WhatWASithedone？"
Thatwasit，yousee——hejustdoneittogetan"effect"；youcouldn’t’a’pulledhimoffofthatplat-
formwithayokeofoxen。
"Oh，itwasn’tanythingmuch，"hesays。"IseenhimlookingalittleexcitedwhenhefoundUncleSilaswasactulyfixingtohanghimselfforamurderthatwarn’teverdone；andhegotmoreandmorenervousandworried，Ia-watchinghimsharpbutnotseemingtolookathim——andallofasuddenhishandsbeguntoworkandfidget，andprettysoonhisleftcreptupandHISFINGERDRAWEDACROSSONHISCHEEK，andthenI
HADhim！"
Well，thentheyrippedandhowledandstompedandclappedtheirhandstillTomSawyerwasthatproudandhappyhedidn’tknowwhattodowithhim-
self。
Andthenthejudgehelookeddownoverhispulpitandsays：
"Myboy，didyouSEEallthevariousdetailsofthisstrangeconspiracyandtragedythatyou’vebeende-
scribing？"
"No，yourhonor，Ididn’tseeanyofthem。"
"Didn’tseeanyofthem！Why，you’vetoldthewholehistorystraightthrough，justthesameasifyou’dseenitwithyoureyes。Howdidyoumanagethat？"
Tomsays，kindofeasyandcomfortable：
"Oh，justnoticingtheevidenceandpiecingthisandthattogether，yourhonor；justanordinarylittlebitofdetectivework；anybodycould’a’doneit。"
"Nothingofthekind！Nottwoinamillioncould’a’doneit。Youareaveryremarkableboy。"
ThentheyletgoandgiveTomanothersmashinground，andhe——well，hewouldn’t’a’soldoutforasilvermine。Thenthejudgesays：
"Butareyoucertainyou’vegotthiscurioushistorystraight？"
"Perfectly，yourhonor。HereisBraceDunlap——
lethimdenyhisshareofitifhewantstotakethechance；I’llengagetomakehimwishhehadn’tsaidanything……Well，youseeHE’Sprettyquiet。Andhisbrother’sprettyquiet，andthemfourwitnessesthatliedsoandgotpaidforit，they’reprettyquiet。AndasforUncleSilas，itain’tanyuseforhimtoputinhisoar，Iwouldn’tbelievehimunderoath！"
Well，sir，thatfairlymadethemshout；andeventhejudgeheletgoandlaughed。Tomhewasjustfeelinglikearainbow。Whentheywasdonelaughinghelooksupatthejudgeandsays：
"Yourhonor，there’sathiefinthishouse。"
"Athief？"
"Yes，sir。Andhe’sgotthemtwelve-thousand-
dollardi’mondsonhim。"
Bygracious，butitmadeastir！Everybodywentshouting：
"Whichishim？whichishim？p’inthimout！"
Andthejudgesays：
"Pointhimout，mylad。Sheriff，youwillarresthim。Whichoneisit？"
Tomsays：
"Thislatedeadmanhere——JubiterDunlap。"
Thentherewasanotherthunderinglet-goofastonish-
mentandexcitement；butJubiter，whichwasastonishedenoughbefore，wasjustfairlyputrifiedwithastonish-
mentthistime。Andhespokeup，abouthalfcrying，andsays：
"NowTHAT’Salie。Yourhonor，itain’tfair；I’mplentybadenoughwithoutthat。Idonetheotherthings——Braceheputmeuptoit，andpersuadedme，andpromisedhe’dmakemerich，someday，andIdoneit，andI’msorryIdoneit，andIwishtIhadn’t；butI
hain’tstolenodi’monds，andIhain’tGOTnodi’monds；
IwishtImayneverstirifitain’tso。Thesheriffcansearchmeandsee。"
Tomsays：
"Yourhonor，itwasn’trighttocallhimathief，andI’llletuponthatalittle。Hedidstealthedi’monds，buthedidn’tknowit。HestolethemfromhisbrotherJakewhenhewaslayingdead，afterJakehadstolethemfromtheotherthieves；butJubiterdidn’tknowhewasstealingthem；andhe’sbeenswellingaroundherewiththemamonth；yes，sir，twelvethousanddollars’worthofdi’mondsonhim——allthatriches，andgoingaroundhereeverydayjustlikeapoorman。Yes，yourhonor，he’sgotthemonhimnow。"
Thejudgespokeupandsays：
"Searchhim，sheriff。"
Well，sir，thesheriffheransackedhimhighandlow，andeverywhere：searchedhishat，socks，seams，boots，everything——andTomhestoodtherequiet，layingforanotherofthemeffectsofhisn。Finallythesheriffhegiveitup，andeverybodylookeddisappointed，andJubitersays：
"There，now！what’dItellyou？"
Andthejudgesays：
"Itappearsyouweremistakenthistime，myboy。"
ThenTomtookanattitudeandletontobestudyingwithallhismight，andscratchinghishead。Thenallofasuddenheglancedupchipper，andsays：
"Oh，nowI’vegotit！I’dforgot。"
Whichwasalie，andIknowedit。Thenhesays：
"Willsomebodybegoodenoughtolendmealittlesmallscrewdriver？Therewasoneinyourbrother’shand-bagthatyousmouched，Jubiter。butIreckonyoudidn’tfetchitwithyou。"
"No，Ididn’t。Ididn’twantit，andIgiveitaway。"
"That’sbecauseyoudidn’tknowwhatitwasfor。"
Jubiterhadhisbootsonagain，bynow，andwhenthethingTomwantedwaspassedoverthepeople’sheadstillitgottohim，hesaystoJubiter：
"Putupyourfootonthischair。"Andhekneeleddownandbeguntounscrewtheheel-plate，everybodywatching；andwhenhegotthatbigdi’mondoutofthatboot-heelandhelditupandletitflashandblazeandsquirtsunlighteverwhichaway，itjusttookevery-
body’sbreath；andJubiterhelookedsosickandsorryyouneverseethelikeofit。AndwhenTomhelduptheotherdi’mondhelookedsorrierthanever。Land！
hewasthinkinghowhewould’a’skippedoutandbeenrichandindependentinaforeignlandifhe’donlyhadthelucktoguesswhatthescrewdriverwasinthecarpet-bagfor。
Well，itwasamostexcitingtime，takeitallaround，andTomgotcordsofglory。Thejudgetookthedi’monds，andstoodupinhispulpit，andclearedhisthroat，andshovedhisspectaclesbackonhishead，andsays：
"I’llkeepthemandnotifytheowners；andwhentheysendforthemitwillbearealpleasuretometohandyouthetwothousanddollars，foryou’veearnedthemoney——yes，andyou’veearnedthedeepestandmostsincerestthanksofthiscommunitybesides，forliftingawrongedandinnocentfamilyoutofruinandshame，andsavingagoodandhonorablemanfromafelon’sdeath，andforexposingtoinfamyandthepun-
ishmentofthelawacruelandodiousscoundrelandhismiserablecreatures！"
Well，sir，ifthere’dbeenabrassbandtobustoutsomemusic，then，itwould’a’beenjusttheperfectestthingIeversee，andTomSawyerhesaidthesame。
ThenthesheriffhenabbedBraceDunlapandhiscrowd，andbyandbynextmonththejudgehadthemupfortrialandjailedthewholelot。AndeverybodycrowdedbacktoUncleSilas’slittleoldchurch，andwaseversolovingandkindtohimandthefamilyandcouldn’tdoenoughforthem；andUncleSilashepreachedthemtheblamedestjumbledestidioticsermonsyoueverstruck，andwouldtangleyouupsoyoucouldn’tfindyourwayhomeindaylight；butthepeo-
pleneverletonbutwhattheythoughtitwastheclear-
estandbrightestandelegantestsermonsthateverwas；
andtheywouldsetthereandcry，forloveandpity；
but，byGeorge，theygivemethejim-jamsandthefan-
todsandcakedupwhatbrainsIhad，andturnedthemsolid；butbyandbytheylovedtheoldman’sintellectsbackintohimagain，andhewasassoundinhisskullaseverhewas，whichain’tnoflattery，Ireckon。Andsothewholefamilywasashappyasbirds，andnobodycouldbegratefulerandlovingerthanwhattheywastoTomSawyer；andthesametome，thoughIhadn’tdonenothing。Andwhenthetwothousanddollarscome，Tomgivehalfofittome，andnevertoldany-
bodyso，whichdidn’tsurpriseme，becauseIknowedhim。
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