Then it was said that the ghost had reappeared and so frightened the men that they had refused to work.

Another story was set afloat that the bottom had fallen out of the pit, and the iron chest containing the treasure had sunk beyond recovery.

The simple fact was that the cunning fellows never expected to find a dollar.
These strange stories agitated Nyack for several weeks, and under their influence Chapman so managed to divide opinion that Hanz had to bear the greater share of blame for bringing distress on the poor people.

One and then another of his neighbors would chide him, and say it was all his fault that they had lost their money and had nothing to show for it but these worthless bits of paper.
To add to Hanz's troubles, Chapman entered his house one day, and openly reproached him for bringing distress on his friends.

"You know you have done wrong, old man," said he, assuming the air of an injured man.