The Tin Box, and What it Contained

"And yet you dared to untie him?"

"Certainly. You had no business to tie him."

"What! you dare say this to my face?"

"Why shouldn't I? What did you tie him for?"

"Didn't he tell you?"

"No."

"Then I will, though it's none of your business. He stole my property."

"Did you do that, Philip?" asked Harry, who was not yet aware of

Temple's suspicion.

"No; I hope to die. I did not!" answered Philip, solemnly.

"What does he say that you stole?" continued Harry.

"He says I stole a tin box, containing some bonds or something."

"I begin to understand," thought Harry. "Philip is suffering for what Ihave done. I must free him, if I can.

"Was the box in the cabin?" he asked, not considering it prudent tobetray all that he knew.

"No; it was buried in the earth, out in the woods," said Philip.

"That's true," said Temple, with an oath. "It was all the property Ihad."

"It's a queer place to keep articles of value," said Harry, lookingsteadily at Temple.

"I shall keep my own property where I please," said Temple, doggedly. "You don't suppose I'd keep it here in this hut. It wouldn't be safe fortwenty-four hours."

"Did you see Philip take it?" continued Harry, assuming, unconsciously, the tone of a judge or advocate.

"No; but I saw him prowling round near-by, and the earth had beendisturbed. As for the tin box, that was gone, and he stays here till itis found."

As he spoke he approached Philip, to tie him anew.

"Oh, please don't tie me again, Mr. Temple!" pleaded the terrified boy.

"Indeed, I didn't carry off your tin box. I didn't know you had any."

"Perhaps the box dug itself up and walked off," said Temple, withwithering sarcasm. "You must think I am a fool. Somebody dug it up, andknows where it is now."

"It wasn't me."

"At any rate, it won't do any harm to tie you up until I find out moreabout it."

Temple picked up the rope which Harry had thrown on the floor, and wasabout to repeat his work, when Philip exclaimed, partly from theinstinct of self-preservation, partly to gratify his mean spite againstHarry:

"I shouldn't wonder if Harry Gilbert carried it off himself. He wasprowling about the wood yesterday."

Harry could hardly believe his ears. This boy who accused him was theone he had just released from his bonds.

He looked at Philip, his face expressing the contempt he felt.

"I suppose this is to pay me for untying you?" he said.

"I can't help it; I am sure you did it," persisted Philip, thinking whata fine thing it would be for Harry to change places with him. "I amrich, and I have no need to steal. You are poor, and, I dare say, wouldlike to get hold of Mr. Temple's bonds."

Temple paused a moment, and then said:

"The boy may be right. I'll tie both of you. One of you knows somethingabout it, or I'm mistaken."

Philip's face fell. He had hoped to get free himself. It would be somesatisfaction for him to see the boy he hated in the same plight, butstill he would rather go free.

"Tie him first," he said.

It occurred to him that while Harry was being tied he might slip away.

"I know my own business best, youngster," said Temple.

And he made Philip sit down again in the chair from which he had beenreleased.

"Don't you dare leave the cabin, unless you want to be brought back," hesaid to Harry. "Your turn will come next."

Harry did not answer, but coughed. It was the signal agreed upon betweenhim and the officer outside.

Temple was on his knees beside Philip's chair, tying the boy, with hisback toward the door. He listened to hear whether our hero made anyattempt to escape, being prepared to pursue and bring him back byforce.

He heard a slight motion, and looked around quickly.

There in the doorway stood a stranger, quietly covering him with arevolver.

Temple jumped to his feet, in surprise and alarm.

"Who are you?" he demanded.

"I am an officer of the law, Ralph Temple, and I call upon you tosurrender," said the stranger, coolly.

"An officer? I don't believe it. Where is your uniform?"

"I had my reasons for not wearing it. Do you surrender?"

"Why should I? What do you want of me?" asked the outlaw, uneasily.