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。