Jed loyally told himself over and over again that the boy was innocent, he KNEW he was innocent.

But-- The dreadful "but" came back again and again to torment him.
All that day he went about in an alternate state of dread and hope.
Hope that the missing four hundred might be found, dread of--many possibilities.

Twice he stopped at the bank to ask Captain Sam concerning it.

The second time the captain was a trifle impatient.
"Gracious king, Jed," he snapped.

"What's the matter with you?
'Tain't a million.