“That’s about where it fell in,” said Jack, throwing a stone into the water as nearly as he could at the spot where he had seen the case disappear. “Maybe if I had a long pole I could fish it out.” “I know a better way than that,” volunteered Ferd. “How?” “Take off your shoes and stockings and wade in. I’ll help ye.” The boys did this, and soon were walking carefully about in the creek, peering here and there for a sight of the case. The stream was clear, and they could see bottom almost everywhere. But there was no sign of the flat valise. “Th’ current must have carried it below th’ bridge,” suggested Ferd. “We’ll look there. But don’t wade under th’ bridge. There’s deep holes there, made by an eddy. It’s over yer head in one place.” They walked along the bank until they were below the bridge, and then they resumed their search. Jack got a long pole and poked it into places where Ferd said it was too deep to wade, but their efforts were fruitless. The dress-suit case had disappeared. “It’s either been carried a long way downstream, or else some one saw it and walked off with it,” declared Jack. “Well, I suppose I’ll have to do without it. But it’s tough luck.” “Where ye goin’ now?” asked Ferd. “I don’t know, exactly. I must get a place to work. Do you know of any farmers around here who might hire me?” “Dunno’s I do. They mostly have all th’ hired men they need by now. Do ye know anythin’ about milkin’ cows?” Jack shook his head. “If ye did; dad might hire ye,” went on the young farmer. “He needs a hand to milk cows. Th’ last man we had left because a cow kicked him.” “Then I don’t think I’d care for the place.” “Oh, pshaw! A cow kick ain’t nothin’. Their feet is soft. A hoss hurts when he kicks ye, though.” “I should think he would. I don’t believe I care to be kicked by either. Well, if you don’t think there’s any chance to get work around here, I’ll have to travel on,” and Jack spoke rather wearily. “Ye might git a job at th’ dairy where I’m takin’ this milk,” went on Ferd. “They have lots of men an’ boys. If you want, I’ll give ye a lift there, an’ ye kin ask. I know th’ foreman of th’ cheese department.” “Thanks, I’ll try it. I’m afraid I have put you to a lot of bother as it is.” “Aw, shucks! That ain’t nothin’. I got up early t’-day, an’ I’ve got lots of time. Usually I’m two hours later than this bringin’ over th’ milk from our place.” “What was your hurry this morning?” “I want t’ git back quick, so’s I kin go t’ th’ circus. I ain’t been t’ one in two year.” “Is there a circus coming here?” asked Jack, a sudden idea coming into his mind. “It’s comin’ t’ Mulford; that’s the next town. It’s a dandy show. I seen th’ pictures. Be ye goin’?” “I don’t see how I can, very well,” replied Jack, though he did not say that the reason was because he had no money. “I must look for a place to work.” “Maybe ye’ll git a job at th’ dairy.” “Well, I hope I do, but if I should I couldn’t leave it to go to a circus.”