The Tin Box, and What it Contained

Philip heard him, and his heart beat fast with fear. Who did Temple wantto kill? Was it himself or Congreve?

"I'd give a thousand dollars, if I had it, to be at home," thought themiserable boy.

As for Temple, he was no less miserable. All his hopes and anticipationswere dashed. The disappearance of the tin box, whoever might haveremoved it, would render it impossible to carry out plans of Californianemigration with which he had been solacing himself all the morning. Sucha big haul as the present might never be made again.

His first suspicion fell upon his partner, but he also thought of thetwo whom he had met in the forenoon in the wood. They had beensuspiciously near the spot, and might be implicated in the loss. Itdidn't seem probable, but it was possible.

At this inauspicious moment Philip, yielding to a tickling in the throatwhich he couldn't overcome, coughed. It was not a loud cough, but Templeheard it.

He instantly started for the quarter from which the sound proceeded, andin a few seconds discovered and dragged Philip by the collar from behindthe tree.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded, sternly.

"Nothing," answered Philip, trembling.

"Ha! You are one of the boys that I caught prowling round here thismorning."

"I have as much right here as you," said Philip, plucking up a littlecourage.

"Have you? We'll see about that," snarled Temple. "Where's the otherfellow?"

"He isn't here."

"Isn't here? I don't believe it. He's hiding somewhere near."

"Then you can find him," said Philip, sullenly.

"No matter! I've got you, you rascal!" And he shook Philip fiercely.

"What villainous work have you been up to?"

"I don't know what you mean," said Philip, his teeth chattering. "I amthe son of Colonel Ross, and he won't allow me to be treated this way."

"I'd treat him the same way if I caught him here," growled Temple, witha lack of reverence for the colonel's exalted position, which struckPhilip with horror. "Now, tell me what you have done with the tin box, you young scoundrel!"

"The tin box!" ejaculated Philip, in genuine amazement.

"Yes, the tin box. You know well enough what I mean."

"I don't know anything of any tin box; indeed, I don't."

"Do you mean to say you didn't dig it up from the place where we putit?"

"No; indeed I didn't! I don't know anything about it. What was in it?"

Was this ignorance real or affected? Temple could not tell. What wascertain was that the box was gone, and this boy was hovering about thespot. It would be folly to let him go.

"I don't believe you," he said, bluntly. "You must come with me."

And he began to drag Philip off in the direction of his hut.

"Oh, where are you taking me?" asked the frightened boy.

"You'll know soon enough. I'm going to keep you till the tin box isrestored to me."

Poor Philip! As he was jerked along by his collar, in the stern grasp ofthe outlaw, he suffered a good deal more than Harry had in his recentcaptivity.

CHAPTER XXV

PHILIP BECOMES A PRISONER

"Please let me go, and I'll give you five dollars," said poor Philip, ashe was dragged along the forest path by his captor.

"Humph!" said Temple, grimly, thinking he might as well take the money, though he had no intention of releasing Philip. "Have you got fivedollars with you?"

"No."

"Then you are trying to fool me," exclaimed Temple, with an angry jerkat the boy's collar.

"No, I'm not," answered Philip, terrified. "I've got two dollars withme, and I'll bring you the rest before night.

"Where will you get it?"

"From my father."

"And I suppose you expect me to let you go home and get it?"

"If you please."

"But I don't please. You must think I'm a fool. Just as if you wouldcome back if you had once got away!"

"But I will. I promise it on my word of honor."

"Your word of honor," repeated Temple, scornfully. "As if I didn't knowwhat that amounts to."

Philip would have resented this imputation if he had dared, but therewas a look of grim resolution about Temple's mouth which made him afraidto show any resentment.

"Besides," added Temple, "what do you think I care for five dollars? After you have stolen thousands of dollars from me, you dare to think Iwill let you off for five dollars."

There was something in this speech which, despite Philip's terror, attracted his attention. Temple spoke of being robbed of thousands ofdollars, yet he was generally considered a poor outlaw. How could hehave come into possession of so large a sum?

"Thousands of dollars!" repeated Philip, in undisguised amazement.

"Yes; what have you got to say about it?" demanded Temple, sharply.

"I thought you were poor," Philip couldn't help saying.

Temple paused a moment. He knew that the possession of so much moneywould excite surprise in others besides Philip, and he regretted hisimprudence in speaking of thousands of dollars. As it was done, he mustgive some kind of an explanation.