"So I thought. But how is it about the cowpon bonds? A'n't they rather ticklish property to have in the house?" "Well, I don't know. Think how many years you'll keep old bills and documents and never dream of such a thing as losing them! There's not a bit more danger with the bonds. I shouldn't want to carry 'em around with me, to any great amount,--though I did once carry three thousand-dollar bonds in my pocket for a week. I didn't mind it." "Curi's!" said Ducklow: "I've got three thousan'-dollar bonds in my pocket this minute!" "Well, it's so much good property," said Josiah, appearing not at all surprised at the circumstance. "Seems to me, though, if I had a safe, as you have, I should lock 'em up in it." "I was travelling that week. I locked 'em up pretty soon after I got home, though." "Suppose," said Ducklow, as if the thought had but just occurred to him,--"suppose you put my bonds into your safe: I shall feel easier." "Of course," replied Josiah. "I'll keep 'em for you, if you like." "It will be an accommodation. They'll be safe, will they?" "Safe as mine are; safe as anybody's: I'll insure 'em for twenty-five cents." Ducklow was happy. Mrs. Ducklow was happy. She took her husband's coat, and with a pair of scissors cut the threads that stitched the envelope to the pocket. "Have you torn off the May coupons?" asked Josiah. "No." "Well, you'd better. They'll be payable now soon; and if you take them, you won't have to touch the bonds again till the interest on the November coupons is due." "A good idea!" said Ducklow. He took the envelope, untied the tape, and removed its contents. Suddenly the glow of comfort, the gleam of satisfaction, faded from his countenance. "Hello! What ye got there?" cried Josiah. "Why, father! massy sakes!" exclaimed Mrs. Ducklow. As for Ducklow himself, he could not utter a word; but, dumb with consternation, he looked again in the envelope, and opened and turned inside out, and shook, with trembling hands, its astonishing contents. The bonds were not there: they had been stolen, and three copies of the "Sunday Visitor" had been inserted in their place. * * * * * Very early on the following morning a dismal-faced middle-aged couple might have been seen riding away from Josiah's house. It was the Ducklows returning home, after their fruitless, their worse than fruitless, journey. No entreaties could prevail upon them to prolong their visit. It was with difficulty even that they had been prevented from setting off immediately on the discovery of their loss, and travelling all night, in their impatience to get upon the track of the missing bonds.