“We’ll hide it in number two, under the cross.”

The men left. Tom and Huck climbed to the ground and went home.

That night Tom lay awake thinking about the buried treasure. If only he could find Joe’s den, he and Huck would be rich!

Chapter Ten
Lost!

Tom had to find Joe’s gold. Joe said that he was stashing the loot in “number two.” That probably was a room in the town tavern. Tom asked Huck to watch the tavern. If Joe or his friend left the place, Huck could follow them and find out if the loot was hidden someplace else.

Huck did just as Tom said. At ten o’clock, two men stepped out of the tavern. One was carrying a bundle under his arm. It was Injun Joe and the man with the scar!

Huck followed, as quietly as a cat. The men walked up River Street for three blocks. Then they headed for Cardiff Hill.

They stopped in the woods outside the Widow Douglas’s house. Huck hid behind a large elm tree.

“There’s a light in her place,” said Joe. “She’s got company. No matter. I’m going to get that Widow Douglas! Her husband got me in trouble many times. I aim to pay her back. And I’m willing to wait. I’ll kill her if I have to!”

Huck didn’t waste a minute. He raced past the rock quarry to Mr. Jones’s house.

He banged on the door. Mr. Jones opened the window.

“Who’s banging?” he said. “What do you want?”

“It’s Huckleberry Finn. Quick, let me in!”

“That name doesn’t open many doors around here,” said Mr. Jones.

Mr. Jones thought Huck was a loafer and a good-for-nothing. But he let him in anyway.

Huck quickly told him what was happening at the Widow Douglas’s house. Mr. Jones grabbed a gun and ran to the Widow’s. Huck stayed behind a tree.

Suddenly there was a gunshot.