"What makes you think so?" "You won't tell him what I say, will you?" "I saw him when he first came here. He had a bundle done up in paper. He left the boat and went into the woods, and when he came back he didn't have the paper." "He may have had it in his pocket." "No, he didn't. It was a big package, and if it had been in his pocket it would have made it bulge out." "I see you are quite an observing boy. I dare say you are right. What do you think there was in the package?" "I guess it was money. If I had a lot of money I wouldn't hide it in the woods." "Nor I," answered Fred, laughing. "I'd buy a trunk and keep it inside." "Somebody might open the trunk." "Any way it would be safer than hiding it in the woods." "I don't know but you are right. I hope the time will come when you and I will have a lot of money to conceal." "Is the man a friend of yours?" asked the boy. "We are boarding at the same hotel. I have only known Mr. Bowman two days." "Is he from the States?" "Yes. I believe he came from New York." "Where do you come from?" "I live in New York too." "I'd like to see New York. I'd go there if my father would let me." "I am not sure but you are better off here. Some boys have a hard time making a living in New York." "I thought everybody in New York was rich." "If you ever come to New York you'll find out your mistake," rejoined Fred, laughing. "If you ain't a friend of Mr. Bowman, as you call him," said the boy, lowering his vice, "I'll tell you something." "I wish you would. Mr. Bowman is not a friend of mine, but there is no one else to keep company with, so I go round with him." "I know where he has hidden his money." "Is this true?" asked Fred in excitement. "Yes." "But how did you find out?" "One day I followed him. I dodged behind trees and kept out of sight. Once he came near seeing me when he looked back, but I was just in time. By and by he came to the place." "What sort of a place?" "Did I say I would tell you?" asked the boy shrewdly. "No, but I will make it worth your while." The boy eyed Fred with suspicion, and his manner became cold. "Do you want to rob him?" he asked. "No." "Then why do you want to know where he has hid his money?" Fred deliberated hurriedly. There was no way except to take the boy into his confidence. "I see you are an honest boy," he said, "and I like you better for it." "That's all right, but why do you want me to tell you where Mr. Bowman has hidden his money?" "Can you keep a secret?" "Is there a secret?" "Yes; the package which this man has hidden contains bonds which he stole from a New York banker." "How do you know that?" "Because I am sent to get them back, if possible. That is why I have come to St. Victor, and that is why I have formed the acquaintance of Mr. Bowman." "Is this true?" asked the boy, not wholly without suspicion. "Listen and I will tell you the story. I must be quick, for Mr. Bowman may be back any minute." "There he is now."