“Good! That will serve to identify it. But why couldn’t we have concealed it nearer your cabin?” “I don’t want to fall under suspicion,” said Temple, shaking his head. “Why should you?” Ralph Temple laughed a harsh, unpleasant laugh. “The good people round here haven’t a very good opinion of me,” he said. “They would be very apt to suspect me, if suspicion came this way. No; it’s better to hide the box here.” “I wish we could sell the bonds at once.” “Nearly all are registered, and probably the old man has a record of the rest, so that if we tried to sell them we would be brought up with a round turn. No; as I told you, the only way is to wait till a reward is offered, and then open negotiations for their return. Not immediately, you know. We will keep them long enough to make the owner feel anxious, and willing to get them back at any cost.” “I guess you’re right. We must be prudent. If we could only get away with the whole sum it would make us comfortable for a year or two.” “How much is there?” “Well, there are eight thousand dollars in government bonds, and five Union Pacific bonds of a thousand dollars each. They’re safe as governments.” “Thirteen thousand dollars!” said Temple, in a tone of gratification. “Yes, and more, for the bonds are all at premium. However, we must lay back for a reward. It won’t do to negotiate them.” While this conversation had been going on Temple indicated the spot which he thought suitable, and, with a spade which he carried, had commenced excavating a hole sufficiently large for the purpose. He dug to a depth of about eighteen inches, the box being eight inches in height, and carefully deposited it in the cavity. Then both replaced a part of the earth, and carried away the remainder to the distance of a hundred feet or so. Finally they brought a quantity of leaves and covered the spot. “There,” said Temple, with a look of satisfaction; “it’s safe enough now. It’ll take a smart detective to find it, I reckon.” “You’re right there, Ralph,” said his companion. “It would be a bad sort of joke if we couldn’t find it ourselves,” he added, after a pause. “I can find it, never you fear!” said Temple. “I know these woods as well as anybody, and shan’t forget the spot.” “All the same, I wish I had some of that money now. I’m almost dead broke.” “So am I; but I can let you have enough to get back to the city.” “And suppose,” said Vernon, with an uneasy look, “you should take a fancy to remove that box while I am away?” “Don’t be afraid. Ralph Temple isn’t that kind of a man. He’ll stand by his pard and treat him fair.” “It would be a rough trick to play on me, Ralph,” said Vernon, apparently not quite free from uneasiness. “So it would; but there is no danger. Even if I did couldn’t you expose the whole thing, and have me arrested?” “So I could,” returned Vernon, more reassured by this consideration than by his faith in Temple’s fair dealing.