The Tin Box, and What it Contained

"Thirteen thousand dollars!" said Temple, in a tone of gratification.

"Yes, and more, for the bonds are all at premium. However, we must layback for a reward. It won't do to negotiate them."

While this conversation had been going on Temple indicated the spotwhich he thought suitable, and, with a spade which he carried, hadcommenced excavating a hole sufficiently large for the purpose.

He dug to a depth of about eighteen inches, the box being eight inchesin height, and carefully deposited it in the cavity.

Then both replaced a part of the earth, and carried away the remainderto the distance of a hundred feet or so. Finally they brought a quantityof leaves and covered the spot.

"There," said Temple, with a look of satisfaction; "it's safe enoughnow. It'll take a smart detective to find it, I reckon."

"You're right there, Ralph," said his companion. "It would be a bad sortof joke if we couldn't find it ourselves," he added, after a pause.

"I can find it, never you fear!" said Temple. "I know these woods as wellas anybody, and shan't forget the spot."

"All the same, I wish I had some of that money now. I'm almost deadbroke."

"So am I; but I can let you have enough to get back to the city."

"And suppose," said Vernon, with an uneasy look, "you should take afancy to remove that box while I am away?"

"Don't be afraid. Ralph Temple isn't that kind of a man. He'll stand byhis pard and treat him fair."

"It would be a rough trick to play on me, Ralph," said Vernon, apparently not quite free from uneasiness.

"So it would; but there is no danger. Even if I did couldn't you exposethe whole thing, and have me arrested?"

"So I could," returned Vernon, more reassured by this consideration thanby his faith in Temple's fair dealing.

"Well, if you're all ready, we may as well vanish. You can stay with meto-night, and go to the city in the morning. Watch the papers, and seeif there is anything that promises advantage to us."

"All right."

The two men moved off, much to Harry's relief. He was in momentary dreadof a sneeze, and this would betray his whereabouts to Temple and hispartner.

What these two desperate men would have done to him, had they discoveredhim, it was not easy to guess; but, under the influence of vexation andalarm, they might have brought upon him worse trouble than any he hadyet experienced.

Such, indeed, was likely, from what he knew of Ralph Temple. He wasgenerally considered a disreputable character, and the villagers wereignorant as to how he made his living.

From time to time he came to the village store provided with money; butwhere it came from no one knew, as he was not known to do anything, except to roam the fields and woods with his gun. Sometimes hedisappeared for a week or a fortnight at a time, but where he went, unless to the city, no one knew.

Harry conjectured, from what he had just seen, that Temple was in leaguewith wicked men in the city, with whom he was engaged in violations ofthe law, and in this surmise he was correct.

He understood a little better now Ralph Temple's object in selecting ashis abode this lonely and out-of-the-way place.

Harry did not venture to descend from his elevated perch until the twomen had ample time to get beyond sight and hearing.

When he touched the ground, he first scanned the tree and its vicinitycarefully, so as to make sure he could find it again, and then hurriedhome.

CHAPTER XVIII

HARRY'S COMMISSION

It may be well imagined that Harry was in a thrill of excitement as hewalked home. He had just witnessed what was undoubtedly an attempt toconceal the proceeds of a burglary. He, and he alone, outside of theguilty parties, knew where the booty was deposited, and he asked himselfwhat was his duty under the circumstances.

Of course he had no sympathy with Temple and Vernon. They had madethemselves the enemies of society, and he was in duty bound to defeattheir criminal plans, if possible, and restore the property to its legalowner or owners.

Here a difficulty stared him in the face. He didn't know to whom the tinbox and its contents belonged, for not a word had been dropped by thetwo thieves which could inform him. They had made up their minds, however, to wait till a reward should be offered, and then come forwardand claim it, or, at any rate, open negotiations through others lookingto that result.

Why could not Harry learn, in like manner, who had been robbed, andcommunicate with them? This seemed to him the most sensible course.

Here, again, there was another difficulty. In the little country villagehe was not in a position to see any such notice, for they took no dailypaper, and, though Mr. Mead did, his inquiry for it would excitecuriosity and lead to questionings. It seemed necessary for him to go toNew York.

"Shall I tell mother, or not?" he asked himself.

On the whole, he thought it better not to do so. So far as he wasconcerned, his mother was timid, and she would be anxious lest he shouldincur the hostility of the two lawless men of whose crime he had comeinto the knowledge. Yet he wanted to consult somebody, for he felt thatthe matter was one of no little importance, and that he needed a man'scounsel.

"I'll speak to Uncle Obed about it," he said to himself. "He isn't usedto cities, to be sure, but he has had a long life, and must haveconsiderable experience. At any rate, he will be better qualified than Ito know what ought to be done."

He had scarcely come to this conclusion before he reached the cottage.

His mother, with a troubled expression of countenance, was sitting atthe table, not sewing or mending, as usual, but with her hands claspedin her lap, while near her sat Uncle Obed, also looking sober.

"I am sure something has happened to Harry," she had just been saying.

"I never knew him to stay out so long without telling me."

"Boys will be boys," answered the old man, not knowing what else to say.

"He's gone off on some lark with some of his playmates."

"But he never does that without telling me, Mr. Wilkins. He's always soconsiderate."

"He'll be coming home safe and sound, depend upon it," said Uncle Obed, with a confidence greater than he actually felt.

"Perhaps he has fallen from a tree – he was always fond of climbing – andbroken his leg," suggested Mrs. Gilbert, dolefully.

"He's too smart for that," said Uncle Obed.

"What should I do if he never came home?" exclaimed the poor woman, witha shudder.

Mr. Wilkins was hardly prepared to answer this question, and, luckily, it was not necessary, for just then the latch was lifted and Harrywalked in.

"Didn't I tell you so?" said Uncle Obed, triumphantly.

"Oh, Harry, I'm so glad to see you! Where have you been so long?"

"It's lucky you came just as you did," said Mr. Wilkins. "Your motherhad made up her mind that you had met with an accident."