"A tin box?" repeated Laud, busying himself with the jib of the sail-boat. "Yes; it was painted green." "I don't remember any box," answered Laud. "Didn't you see it? I opened it to take out the money I paid you." "I didn't mind. I was receipting the bill while you were getting the money ready. You know I sat down at your desk." "Yes; I know you did; but didn't you see the box?" "No, sir; I don't remember seeing any box," said Laud, still fussing over the sail, which certainly did not need any attention. "You went out through the library when you came down from Michael's room--didn't you?" continued the captain. "Yes, sir; I did. I left my hat in there." "Did you see the box then?" "Of course I didn't. If I had, I should have remembered it," replied Laud, with a grin. "I just grabbed my hat, and ran, for I had been in the house some time; and I got a blessing for being away so long when I went back to the store." "You didn't see the box, then?" "If it was there, I suppose I saw it; but I didn't take any notice of it. Why? is the box lost?" "I want to get another like it. Haven't you anything of the sort in the store?" "We have some cake and spice boxes. They are tin, and painted on the outside." "Those will not answer the purpose. It's a very hot day," added the captain, as he wiped the perspiration from his face, and walked back to the shade of the shop. Mr. Laud Cavendish stepped into the sail-boat, hoisted the sails, and shoved her off into deep water with an oar. Captain Patterdale thought, and then he did not know what to think. Was it possible Laud had not noticed that tin box, which had been on a chair out in the middle of the room? If he had not, why, then he had not; but if he had Laud had more cunning, more self-control, and more ingenuity than the captain had ever given him the credit, or the discredit, of possessing, for there was certainly no sign of guilt in his tone or his manner, except that he did not look the inquirer square in the face when he answered his questions, though some guilty people can even do this without wincing.