After a moment he said, "'Cos I wouldn't hev took anything outer thet place." Key felt relieved.

From what he knew of Collinson's vagaries he believed him.

He was wise in not admitting him to his confidences at the beginning; he might have thought it his duty to tell others.
"I'm not so particular," he returned laughingly, "but the silver in that hole was never touched, nor I dare say even imagined by mortal man before.

However, there is something else about the hollow that I want to tell you.

You remember the slipper that you picked up ?" "Yes." "Well, I lied to you about that; I never dropped it.