d 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.

"Well, if you're all ready, we may as well vanish. You can stay with me
to-night, and go to the city in the morning. Watch the papers, and see
if there is anything that promises advantage to us."

"All right."

The two men moved off, much to Harry's relief. He was in momentary dread
of a sneeze, and this would betray his whereabouts to Temple and his
partner.

What these two desperate men would have done to him, had they discovered
him, it was not easy to guess; but, under the influence of vexation and
alarm, they might have brought upon him worse trouble than any he had
yet experienced.

Such, indeed, was lik