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Before folding the trousers, I checked the pockets My eyes widened and I yelled for Errol to co in this pocket," I said "Where is it?"

Errol shook his head, but he clearly knew the answer "You had nothing of value in there, sir"

I moved closer to him and his face paled "Did you throw it out, then?"

In almost a whisper, Errol said, "Conner heard you wanted these back He insisted on inspecting the, sir, you should ask him"

Minutes later, I storainst the wall "Where’s old?"

"Where’s Mott?" Conner asked "He should have escorted you"

"He doesn’t know I left Where is it?"

"I can’t i about Now coestured to a seat near Roden and Tobias, ere both staring at one co "The gold In the pockets of the clothes I wore before co here You took it"

"That’s what this is about?" Conner laughed "Stupid boy That rock you carried wasn’t gold"

"Yes, it is and it’s old, Sage You probably bought it froift, and it’s real I want it back"

"No" Conner folded his hands together "You’re training to becoold in his pocket Study hard to becoold wherever you go"

"We’re all iold, then there’s nofor me to carry than that rock Where is it?"

"It’s mine now," Conner said "I’m sure I’ll find a useful purpose for it one day,stone in the nearby river Now please sit down We were about to discuss the royal lineage"

"You discuss it," I said "I’ve got better things to do" And I stor or history lessons thatTobias, Roden, and I were on our way out to the stables that afternoon when Mott and Cregan strode toward us I was eating an apple swiped from the kitchen, but froet to finish it

"They look angry," Tobias said toI’ve done?" I asked "Don’t you and Roden ever do anything worth their attention?"

"It’s always soh I was te We were trapped between the stables and the house, so they’d catchmy way, I didn’t need to coan placed both hands on h, the apple rolled out of my hand and into the dirt "Where is that rock?" he asked

The fall to the ground knocked the breath froold"

"You stole it from the master"