[In a Hollow of the Hills by Bret Harte]@TWC D-Link book
In a Hollow of the Hills

CHAPTER III
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Collinson's face betrayed neither profound interest nor the slightest resentment.

When Key had ended his awkward recital, Collinson said slowly:-- "Then Uncle Dick and that other Parker feller ain't got no show in this yer find." "No," said Key quickly.

"Don't you remember we broke up our partnership that morning and went off our own ways.

You don't suppose," he added with a forced half-laugh, "that if Uncle Dick or Parker had struck a lead after they left me, they'd have put me in it ?" "Wouldn't they ?" asked Collinson gravely.
"Of course not." He laughed a little more naturally, but presently added, with an uneasy smile, "What makes you think they would ?" "Nuthin'!" said Collinson promptly.
Nevertheless, when they were seated before the fire, with glasses in their hands, Collinson returned patiently to the subject: "You wuz saying they went their way, and you went yours.

But your way was back on the old way that you'd all gone together." But Key felt himself on firmer ground here, and answered deliberately and truthfully, "Yes, but I only went back to the hollow to satisfy myself if there really was any house there, and if there was, to warn the occupants of the approaching fire." "And there was a house there," said Collinson thoughtfully.
"Only the ruins." He stopped and flushed quickly, for he remembered that he had denied its existence at their former meeting.


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