Work overview

Text 43 of 55

CHAPTER XXIV

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer, Complete

Mark Twain · 2004

Contents

Text 43 of 55

  1. 01Front matter
  2. 02CHAPTER V. A Useful Minister—In Church—The Climax
  3. 03CHAPTER VII. A Treaty Entered Into—Early Lessons—A Mistake Made
  4. 04CHAPTER VIII. Tom Decides on his Course—Old Scenes Re-enacted
  5. 05CHAPTER X. The Solemn Oath—Terror Brings Repentance—Mental Punishment
  6. 06CHAPTER XI. Muff Potter Comes Himself—Tom’s Conscience at Work
  7. 07CHAPTER XII. Tom Shows his Generosity—Aunt Polly Weakens
  8. 08CHAPTER XIV. Camp-Life—A Sensation—Tom Steals Away from Camp
  9. 09CHAPTER XV. Tom Reconnoiters—Learns the Situation—Reports at Camp
  10. 10CHAPTER XVII. Memories of the Lost Heroes—The Point in Tom’s Secret
  11. 11CHAPTER XIX. Tom Tells the Truth
  12. 12CHAPTER XX. Becky in a Dilemma—Tom’s Nobility Asserts Itself
  13. 13CHAPTER XXII. Tom’s Confidence Betrayed—Expects Signal Punishment
  14. 14CHAPTER XXVI. The Haunted House—Sleepy Ghosts—A Box of Gold—Bitter Luck
  15. 15CHAPTER XXVII. Doubts to be Settled—The Young Detectives
  16. 16CHAPTER XXVIII. An Attempt at No. Two—Huck Mounts Guard
  17. 17CHAPTER XXXIV. Springing a Secret—Mr. Jones’ Surprise a Failure
  18. 18CHAPTER XXXV. A New Order of Things—Poor Huck—New Adventures Planned
  19. 19PREFACE
  20. 20CHAPTER I
  21. 21CHAPTER II
  22. 22CHAPTER III
  23. 23CHAPTER IV
  24. 24CHAPTER V
  25. 25CHAPTER VI
  26. 26CHAPTER VII
  27. 27CHAPTER VIII
  28. 28CHAPTER IX
  29. 29CHAPTER X
  30. 30CHAPTER XI
  31. 31CHAPTER XII
  32. 32CHAPTER XIII
  33. 33CHAPTER XIV
  34. 34CHAPTER XV
  35. 35CHAPTER XVI
  36. 36CHAPTER XVII
  37. 37CHAPTER XVIII
  38. 38CHAPTER XIX
  39. 39CHAPTER XX
  40. 40CHAPTER XXI
  41. 41CHAPTER XXII
  42. 42CHAPTER XXIII
  43. 43CHAPTER XXIV
  44. 44CHAPTER XXV
  45. 45CHAPTER XXVI
  46. 46CHAPTER XXVII
  47. 47CHAPTER XXVIII
  48. 48CHAPTER XXIX
  49. 49CHAPTER XXX
  50. 50CHAPTER XXXI
  51. 51CHAPTER XXXII
  52. 52CHAPTER XXXIII
  53. 53CHAPTER XXXIV
  54. 54CHAPTER XXXV
  55. 55CONCLUSION
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Work overview

Text 43 of 55

CHAPTER XXIV

Mark Twain · about 2 minutes

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CHAPTER XXIV

Tom was a glittering hero once more—the pet of the old, the envy of the young. His name even went into immortal print, for the village paper magnified him. There were some that believed he would be President, yet, if he escaped hanging.

As usual, the fickle, unreasoning world took Muff Potter to its bosom and fondled him as lavishly as it had abused him before. But that sort of conduct is to the world’s credit; therefore it is not well to find fault with it.

Tom’s days were days of splendor and exultation to him, but his nights were seasons of horror. Injun Joe infested all his dreams, and always with doom in his eye. Hardly any temptation could persuade the boy to stir abroad after nightfall. Poor Huck was in the same state of wretchedness and terror, for Tom had told the whole story to the lawyer the night before the great day of the trial, and Huck was sore afraid that his share in the business might leak out, yet, notwithstanding Injun Joe’s flight had saved him the suffering of testifying in court. The poor fellow had got the attorney to promise secrecy, but what of that? Since Tom’s harassed conscience had managed to drive him to the lawyer’s house by night and wring a dread tale from lips that had been sealed with the dismalest and most formidable of oaths, Huck’s confidence in the human race was wellnigh obliterated.

Daily Muff Potter’s gratitude made Tom glad he had spoken; but nightly he wished he had sealed up his tongue.

Half the time Tom was afraid Injun Joe would never be captured; the other half he was afraid he would be. He felt sure he never could draw a safe breath again until that man was dead and he had seen the corpse.

Rewards had been offered, the country had been scoured, but no Injun Joe was found. One of those omniscient and awe-inspiring marvels, a detective, came up from St. Louis, moused around, shook his head, looked wise, and made that sort of astounding success which members of that craft usually achieve. That is to say, he “found a clew.” But you can’t hang a “clew” for murder, and so after that detective had got through and gone home, Tom felt just as insecure as he was before.

The slow days drifted on, and each left behind it a slightly lightened weight of apprehension.