called a voice from behind the barn . `` Come on , '' said Tommy ; and , laying his money inside the old winnowing machine , away he ran , followed by Nat . The snake was very interesting , and then a long chase after a lame crow , and its capture , so absorbed Tommy 's mind and time , that he never thought of his money till he was safely in bed that night . `` Never mind , no one but Nat knows where it is , '' said the easy-going lad , and fell asleep untroubled by any anxiety about his property . Next morning , just as the boys assembled for school , Tommy rushed into the room breathlessly , demanding , `` I say , who has got my dollar ? '' `` What are you talking about ? '' asked Franz . Tommy explained , and Nat corroborated his statement . Every one else declared they knew nothing about it , and began to look suspiciously at Nat , who got more and more alarmed and confused with each denial . `` Somebody must have taken it , '' said Franz , as Tommy shook his fist at the whole party , and wrathfully declared that , `` By thunder turtles ! if I get hold of the thief , I 'll give him what he wo n't forget in a hurry . '' `` Keep cool , Tom ; we shall find him out ; thieves always come to grief , '' said Dan , as one who knew something of the matter . `` May be some tramp slept in the barn and took it , '' suggested Ned . `` No , Silas do n't allow that ; besides , a tramp would n't go looking in that old machine for money , '' said Emil , with scorn . `` Was n't it Silas himself ? '' said Jack . `` Well , I like that ! Old Si is as honest as daylight . You would n't catch him touching a penny of ours , '' said Tommy , handsomely defending his chief admirer from suspicion . `` Whoever it was had better tell , and not wait to be found out , '' said Demi , looking as if an awful misfortune had befallen the family .
`` I know you think it 's me , '' broke out XXXXX , red and excited .
Dan Demi Franz Nat Ned Silas Tom daylight night winnowing