It was now evident to Lawry that something serious had happened, and he sprang into the small keel-boat, used for conveying foot-passengers across the lake, which was fastened to a stake on the shore. Taking the oars, he pulled with all his might toward the ferry-boat. He was a stout boy, and handled his oars very skillfully; but before he could reach the scene of the excitement, his father had returned to the bateau. "There's your coat," said John Wilford. Mr. Randall seized the garment with convulsive energy, and with trembling hands felt for the pocketbook in which the six thousand dollars had been kept. "It is gone!" gasped he; and he seemed ready to sink down in the bottom of the boat when he discovered his loss. "Gone!" exclaimed John Wilford. "What's the matter?" asked Lawry. "I've lost my pocketbook with six thousand dollars in it," groaned the bank director. "How did you lose it?" demanded Lawry. "That drop came down and let my coat into the lake; but I don't see how my pocketbook could get out of the coat." "I don't believe the money was in the pocket," added the ferryman. "Yes, it was," persisted Mr. Randall. "I don't see how it could fall out of the pocket," said John Wilford. "Nor I; but the money is gone," answered the bank director, with a vacant stare. "I'm ruined!" "Well, I can't help it. I've done all I could for you. I tried to save it; and if I get the rheumatism for a month or two, it will be a bad job for me." "Wasn't the pocketbook in the pocket when you picked up the coat?" asked Mr. Randall, walking up to the ferryman. "How should I know?" replied John Wilford. "I gave you the coat just as I found it." "I don't believe the pocketbook would sink," added the director. "There was nothing but paper in it." "Of course it wouldn't sink, then," interposed the owner of the vehicle in the ferry-boat. "I don't think it would," said Mr. Randall. "I know it wouldn't," protested the stranger. "I dropped my pocketbook into the lake once, and it floated ten minutes before I could get it again." "Then it must be floating about on the water," added Lawry. "I will try to find it." "I'll go with you," said Mr. Randall. They got into the boat, and Lawry pulled about the spot where the coat had fallen into the water for half an hour without discovering the pocketbook. "I suppose I must give it up," sighed the director. "I'm sure it's not on the water," replied Lawry. "Do you suppose it would sink?" "I don't know; the gentleman in the ferry-boat says it wouldn't." "Stop a minute, boy, and I will soon find out," continued the unfortunate loser of the money.