e that made him queer at times."

"Perhaps so."

"I've got six dollars and a half of my spending money saved up. You may
have that if you wish," continued Ned, generously.

"I'd rather not take it, Ned."

"Why not?"

"If I can, I want to be independent. Besides, I think there is money
around somewhere," and Joe mentioned the missing blue box.

"You must hunt for that blue box by all means!" cried the rich boy.
"I'll help you."

After the death of Hiram Bodley, Joe and two of the lake guides had
managed to repair one room of the broken-down cabin, and from this the
funeral had taken place.

The room contained a bed, a table, two benches and a few dishes and
cooking utensils The floor was bare and the window was broken out. It
was truly a most uninviting home.

"Of course you are not going to stay here, now you are alone?" said Ned,
after a look around.

"I don't know where else to go, Ned."

"Why not move into town!"

"Perhaps I will. But I want to find that blue box before I decide on
anything."

Without delay the two boys set to work among the ruins, looking into
every hole and corner they could think of and locate. They pulled away
heavy boards and logs, and Joe even got a spade and dug up the ground at
certain points.

"It doesn't seem to be here," said Ned, after an hour had passed.

"It must be here," cried Joe.

"Perhaps it was buried under a tree."

"That may be true. Anyway, I am certain it is somewhere around this
cabin."

After that the hunt was continued for another hour, and they visited
several spots in that locality where Joe thought the blue box might have
been placed. But it was all to no purpose, the box failed to come to
light.

At last the two boys sat down on a bench in front of the cabin. Both
were tired out, Ned especially so. Joe was much downcast and his friend
did what he could to cheer him up.

"The box is bound to come to light some day," said Ned. "That is, unless
some of those men carried it off."

"What men, Ned?"

"The fellows who helped to mend the cabin just before the funeral."

"Oh, I don't think they would steal the box. Bart Andrews and Jack
Thompson are as honest as the day is long."

"Well, it's mighty queer you can't find some trace of the blue box."

The boys talked the matter over for some time, and then Ned announced
that he must go home.

"You can go with me if you wish," he said. "It will be better than
staying here all alone."

But Joe