The Tin Box, and What it Contained

"So I was poor; but a rich cousin in New York died lately, and left me alarge legacy. Not having any safe to put it in," he added, with a grimsmile, "I concealed it in the wood, thinking it would be safe. When Isaw you and that friend of yours prowling around this morning, itcrossed my mind that it was in danger; but I didn't think you werethieves."

"We are not," said Philip. "We know nothing about your tin box."

"That's all very well to say. What were you doing in the wood justnow?"

"I only went there for a walk."

"Of course," said Temple, with a sneer. "It's a pleasant place for awalk, and handy to your house."

"I hope to die if I ain't telling the truth!" said Philip, desperately.

"You'll die when your time comes, and it may come sooner than you thinkfor," said Temple, taking a malicious pleasure in seeing Philip turnpale and tremble in his grasp.

"You wouldn't kill me?" faltered Philip.

"I don't know what I shall do. If you tell me where the box is, Ishan't."

"But I don't know – hope to die if I do."

"Who was that fellow with you?" demanded Temple, abruptly.

"James Congreve."

"Where does he come from?"

"From New York."

"If you haven't stolen the box, he has. It lies between you."

"James wouldn't steal it. He is a gentleman."

"So gentlemen don't steal?" sneered Temple. "I am not sure about that. Iknow one thing. I've lost the box, and one of you has got it."

It occurred to Temple that it was more likely to be Congreve, who wasolder and bolder than the boy he had captured, but he was not disposedto let Philip go, nevertheless.

Again Philip denied the charge, but this time Temple did not answer.

At length they reached the hut, and entered.

Now came the critical moment. What was this bad man going to do withhim? Philip asked himself.

He was dragged into the hut, and then, for the first time, his captorrelaxed his grip.

"Sit down there," he said, pointing to a wooden chair, from which thepaint had all worn off.

Philip sat down.

"Now, if you dare to stir or try to escape I'll kill you," said Temple, coolly.

"What a blood-thirsty ruffian!" Philip thought, trembling.

Temple opened the door of a closet, which was filled with a variety ofarticles, including a small supply of kitchen utensils.

He took out a case-knife, to the horror of poor Philip, who concluded hewas to be butchered in cold blood. Still, he did not dare to leave hisseat, lest his jailer's threat should be carried into execution. He washappily undeceived, however, for from the floor of the closet Templelifted a portion of a clothesline, and with some difficulty, for theknife was dull, cut off a portion. Then he turned to Philip.

"I can't stay here to stand guard over you, boy," he said, "but I don'tmean that you shall get away in a hurry. I think I have found a way toprevent your escaping."

He approached the boy, and said:

"Hold out your hands."

"What are you going to do to me, Mr. Temple?" asked Philip, nervously.

"Tie you," answered his captor, sententiously. "What do you supposeropes are made for?"

"Please don't tie me," said Philip, in dismay. "I won't run away."

"No, I don't think you will. Hold out your hands."

There was no help for it. Philip, much against his will, held out hishands, and they were tied tightly around the wrists, so that thestricture was painful.

"It hurts me," he complained.

"It would hurt your neck worse," replied Temple.

Philip understood what he meant, and turned pale. But a ray of hope cameto him in his despondency. Even if his hands were tied he might escape, and he resolved to do so as soon as Temple was at a safe distance.

His hands being tied would not prevent his walking or running, and onceout of the wood he would feel comparatively safe.

He reckoned without his host, however; or, rather, he reckoned withoutknowing the intentions of his captor.

"There," said Temple, when the boy's hands were tied, "so far so good!

Now for your feet!"

Hope died once more in Philip's breast. He might escape with his handstied, but with his feet tied it was quite another matter. In vain heprotested against this second indignity. His jailor was not to bemoved.

"You may as well spare your breath, boy," he said. "I ain't quite afool. I'm not going to leave you free to get away as soon as my back isturned."

So Philip's feet were tied, too, and he realized how utterly helpless hewas.

"There, you can amuse yourself now as much as you like," said Temple, with a humor that Philip did not by any means appreciate. "You'll have anice, easy time, with nothing to do."

He turned and left the hut, relieving Philip of his presence, which wasone comfort, but did not go very far.

As my readers will conclude, Philip began to work his wrists up anddown, vainly endeavoring to unloose the rope, but only succeeded inhurting himself. Next he tried his feet, but they, also, were securelyconfined.

It was a righteous retribution for the trick he had played on HarryGilbert. He was being paid off in his own coin. Though his consciencewas not particularly sensitive, it did occur to him that he was inprecisely the same condition as the boy whom he and Congreve had leftalone in the dark wood, fully expecting that he would have to remain allnight.