When Dreams Feel Too Good to Be True — The Adventures of Tom Sawyer

Tom dreams all night about gold slipping through his fingers. In the morning he wonders if the haunted house adventure was only a dream, because no boy ever sees that much real money in one pile. The coins seemed too bright to be real.

When he finds Huck by the river, Huck's first words settle it: they really lost the treasure when the stairs broke. Tom had almost hoped it was a dream, but Huck's misery proves it was real.

Tom stops moping and starts thinking about what Number Two under the cross could mean. Maybe it is room two at a tavern. Tom checks both inns in town and asks careful questions without giving himself away.

He learns that room two at the Temperance Tavern stays locked, with strange lights at night. That must be where the gold is hidden. The boys feel sure they are close to the treasure at last.

The boys gather door keys from Aunt Polly and others and plan a break-in on a dark night. Huck must watch for Injun Joe and follow him if he comes to town. They swear not to weaken, even though both are scared of the escaped killer and his partner.