The Tin Box, and What it Contained

"Then, Mr. Harry Gilbert, I owe you a debt which, sooner or later, Ishall manage to pay."

"Take him away," said the lawyer to the detectives, "and then come backto me for instructions."

CHAPTER XXIII

FINDING THE BOX

"My boy," said the lawyer, turning to Harry, "you have done yourselfcredit. A grown man could not have shown more judgment."

"Thank you, sir," said Harry, pleased at the compliment.

"But your work is not yet done. As soon as the detectives have returned, you must go back at once to Waybridge with them, and lead them to theplace where the box is concealed."

"I am ready, sir," replied Harry. "But," he added, with a sudden thoughtof one of his errands, "will there be time for me to go to Wall Streetfirst?"

"Why do you want to go to Wall Street?"

"I have some coupons which I am to sell for Mr. Wilkins."

"To what amount?"

"Ninety dollars gold."

"I will myself give you the money for them, as that will save time. Should the search for the box be successful, I will take upon me to payyou the reward as soon as you desire it."

"Thank you, sir."

Harry might have declined the reward, but he felt, justly, that he hadrendered a valuable service to the unknown owner of the bonds, and wasentitled to it.

Presently the detectives came back.

"Well," said the lawyer.

"He is safe under lock and key," promptly answered one of them.

"How did he appear?"

"Sullen and despondent. He vows vengeance against this boy."

"Probably he will not be in a position for some years to harm him. Andnow I have some instructions to give you."

Half an hour later Harry and the two detectives were passengers on atrain bound for a town not far from Waybridge. It was a differentrailroad, however, from the one on which Harry had come. The choice wasmade from a desire to avoid suspicion.

From a point four miles distant they took a carriage, hired from astable, which left them on the opposite side of the wood from the one bywhich Harry had previously entered.

Of course, they could not penetrate the wood with a vehicle, and thequestion came up:

"Who can be got to look after it?"

Just then Harry saw in a field near-by Reuben Richardson – the boy whohad released him from his bonds.

"Reuben!" he called out

Reuben approached, regarding Harry and his companions with surprise.

"Have you an hour to spare?" asked one of the detectives.

"Yes, sir."

"Then please look after this team, and I'll see that you don't lose yourtime."

"All right, sir."

Then, free from all anxiety, the three made their way into the forest. The way seemed blind enough to the two detectives, who were, of course, on unfamiliar ground.

"Are you sure you can find the place?" asked one of them, doubtfully, addressing himself to Harry.

"Sure," answered Harry, briefly.

"It seems blind."

"I know the wood well. I have played here from a boy."

"Where does this Temple live?" asked the second detective.

"In the edge of the wood."

"Near here?"

"No, on the other side of the wood."

"It is to be hoped he has not grown distrustful and removed the box."

"I don't think there is any danger of it, sir. Remember, it is only lastnight that it was concealed. Besides, he wouldn't dare to attempt it inthe daytime, when he would be liable to be seen."

"Quite right. You are unusually considerate for a boy."

Harry did not disappoint his companions. He led the way to the placewhere, the night previous, he had seen the tin box secreted, andinstantly pointed out the exact spot where it was concealed.

The two detectives lost no time in searching for it. They had brought noshovel with them, lest, being seen, their object might excite suspicion; but, by means of sticks which they sharpened into stakes with the helpof sharp jackknives, they turned up the earth, and, in due time, revealed the box.

"There it is," said Harry, joyfully, for he was also helping, and it washis stake that struck it first.

"So it is," exclaimed the first detective, in a tone of satisfaction.

There was no loss of time in lifting the box from its place ofconcealment. Then it was thought best to replace the earth, andcarefully to cover the place with leaves, so as to hide from thesuperficial observer the fact that it had been disturbed.

"Our errand is accomplished," said the second detective. "Now let usmake all haste back to our wagon."