ely, from what he knew of Ralph Temple. He was
generally considered a disreputable character, and the villagers were
ignorant as to how he made his living.

From time to time he came to the village store provided with money; but
where it came from no one knew, as he was not known to do anything,
except to roam the fields and woods with his gun. Sometimes he
disappeared for a week or a fortnight at a time, but where he went,
unless to the city, no one knew.

Harry conjectured, from what he had just seen, that Temple was in league
with wicked men in the city, with whom he was engaged in violations of
the law, and in this surmise he was correct.

He understood a little better now Ralph Temple's object in selecting as
his abode this lonely and out-of-the-way place.

Harry did not venture to descend from his elevated perch until the two
men had ample time to get beyond sight and hearing.

When he touched the ground, he first scanned the tree and its vicinity
carefully, so as to make sure he could find it again, and then hurried
home.

CHAPTER XVIII

HARRY'S COMMISSION

It may be well imagined that Harry was in a thrill of excitement as he
walked home. He had just witnessed what was undoubtedly an attempt to
conceal the proceeds of a burglary. He, and he alone, outside of the
guilty parties, knew where the booty was deposited, and he asked himself
what was his duty under the circumstances.

Of course he had no sympathy with Temple and Vernon. They had made
themselves the enemies of society, and he was in duty bound to defeat
their criminal plans, if possible, and restore the property to its legal
owner or owners.

Here a difficulty stared him in the face. He didn't know to whom the tin
box and its contents belonged, for not a word had been dropped by the
two thieves which could inform him. They had made up their minds,
however, to wait till a reward should be offered, and then come forward
and claim it, or, at any rate, open negotiations through others looking
to that result.

Why could not Harry learn, in like manner, who had been robbed, and
communicate with them? This seemed to him the most sensible course.

Here, again, there was another difficulty. In the little country village
he was not in a position to see any such notice, for they took no daily
paper, and, though Mr. Mead did, his inquiry for it would excite
curiosity and lead to questionings. It seemed nece