ething shall be done. By the way, have you mentioned what you saw to
any person?"

"To only one--an old gentleman boarding at my mother's house."

The lawyer looked annoyed.

"I am sorry for that. It may be all over the village before you get
back, and, in that case, your information may do no good."

"Don't be afraid, sir. Obed Wilkins can keep a secret."

"Obed Wilkins! Does he come from Illinois?"

"Yes, sir."

"I know him," said the lawyer, smiling. "In fact, he is a client of
mine. As you say, he can keep a secret. My boy--by the way, what is your
name?"

"Harry Gilbert."

"Very well, Harry, your chance of earning the reward offered is very
good."

"I did not come here with any thought of the reward."

"Perhaps not; but the owner can very well afford to pay it, and I advise
you to accept it if your information leads to the recovery of the box."

"Doesn't it belong to you, sir?"

"Oh, no. It belongs to one of my clients. It disappeared from my office
two days since. The owner is not yet aware of his loss, but I felt
authorized to offer the reward. May I count on your further help?"

"Yes, sir."

"Then I shall send you at once with a note to a police officer,
requesting two detectives to accompany you back. I shall give them
instructions, and they will probably go back with you to the country."

"Very well, sir."

Mr. Wheeler dashed off a few lines, properly addressed them, and handed
them to Harry.

"Use all dispatch," he said.

"I will," answered our hero, promptly.

As he left the inner office, the clerk outside regarded him curiously.
He was surprised at the long interview accorded him, and wondered what
could be his errand.

As Harry descended the stairs, he jostled a man who was ascending, and
naturally was led to look at him. Harry came near dropping with sheer
surprise. The man he recognized at once as Vernon, one of the men whom
he had seen in the wood.

CHAPTER XXII

BROUGHT TO BAY

Harry felt that matters were getting exciting, and a crisis seemed
imminent.

"I will hurry as fast as I can," he said. "I suppose he has come about
the tin box, too. I hope he will stay till I get back."

Vernon, little dreaming that he was recognized by the office boy--as he
took him to be--who had just jostled against him, kept on his way
upstairs. His appearance was that of a well-dressed man, not much over
thirty, who might be filling a resp