clumsy-looking padlock. He set it down
upon his blankets.

"Wer'll we put this?" he asked abruptly.

Ralph looked at it with his thoughtful eyes.

"It needs considerin'," he observed. And he leant himself against a
heavy table which stood by the wall.

"We ain't opened it since last fall," said Nick presently, after a long
and steady survey of the object of their solicitude.

"No."

"Ther's a deal in it."

Ralph groped at the neck of his shirt. Nick watched his brother's
movements.

"Maybe we'll figure it up agin."

Ralph fell in with his brother's suggestion and drew out the key which
was secured round his neck. He unlocked the rusty padlock and threw open
the lid. The chest contained six small bags filled to bursting point and
securely tied with rawhide; one bag, half-full and open; and a thick
packet of Bank of Montreal bills.

Nick knelt down and took out the bills and set them on one side.

"Ther's fi' thousand dollars ther," he said. "I 'lows they've been
reckoned careful." Then he picked up one of the bags and held it up for
his brother's inspection. "We tied them seven bags up all weighin'
equal, but we ain't jest sure how much dust they hold. Seven," he went
on reflectively, "ther's on'y six an' a haf now, since them woodbugs got
at 'em, 'fore we made this chest. I 'lows Victor's 'cute to locate the
dust in them furs. It wa'n't a good layout wrappin' the bags in black
fox pelts. Howsum, I'd like to know the value o' them bags. Weighs nigh
on to three poun', I'm guessin'."

Ralph took the bag and weighed it in his hand.

"More," he said. "Ther's fi' poun' o' weight ther'."

"Guess them bags together means fifteen to twenty thousan' dollars,
sure," said Nick, his eyes shining at the thought.

"I don't rightly know," said Ralph. "It's a goodish wad, I 'lows."

Nick returned the store to the chest which Ralph relocked.

"Where?" asked Nick, glancing round the hut in search of a secure
hiding-place.

"We'll dig a hole in the floor under my blankets," said Ralph after a
pause. "Maybe it'll be tol'ble safe there."

And for greater security the chest was so disposed. The work was quickly
done, and the clay floor, with the aid of water, was smeared into its
usual smooth appearance again. Then the brothers sought their rest.

At daybreak came the start. Nick harnessed the dogs, five great huskies
who lived in the shelter of a rough shed outside the hut when it
stormed, and curled themselves up i