and almost directly, to his
great delight, he recognized, sauntering along, the very lad he had
taken out in the boat in the morning.

"Hallo, there!" he cried.

The boy turned quickly.

"Oh, it's you, is it?"

"Yes."

"I thought you were to meet me to-morrow morning."

"So I was, but I did not dare to wait. I think Bowman will get the
bonds to-morrow, and make a bolt of it."

"Then what do you propose to do?"

"I want you to get the package for me to-day."

"Do you think I will get into any trouble?" asked the boy cautiously.
"It won't be stealing, will it?"

"It would be if the bonds were Bowman's, but they are not. They belong
to a rich banker in New York, as I have already told you, and in
showing me where they are you are aiding justice."

"Will I get the hundred dollars, sure?"

"Yes, I will guarantee that. What is your name?"

"John Parton."

"I will take it down. As soon as I get back to New York I will see that
the money is sent you."

"I'll chance it," said the boy. "You look honest, and I believe you."

"Go on, then, and I will follow you."

John led the way into the thickest part of the wood. He paused in front
of a large tree, partly gone to decay. The trunk was hollow, containing
a large cavity.

"The package is there," he said.

"Get it for me," returned Fred, "and there your task will end. I will
undertake the rest."

In less than five minutes the package was placed in Fred's hands.

He opened his vest and placed it inside, carefully pinning it to the
waistcoat, so that it might not slip down.

"It will be awkward to carry," he said, "on account of its size. I wish
it were safe in Mr. Wainwright's possession."

Then a new idea came to him.

"Is there any express office near here?" he asked.

"The nearest is at Hyacinth, five or six miles away."

"I should like to go there. Do you know where I can hire a team?"

"We are not using ours to-day," said John.

"Then," said Fred promptly, "I will hire it, paying any price your
father considers satisfactory, and I will engage you to drive me over.
You know the way?"

"I've been there hundreds of times."

"Then it is all right. Do you think we can have the team? I'll pay two
dollars for that, and a dollar for your services as driver."

"It's a go! Come right along! Our house is less than half a mile away."

Then the two boys emerged from the woods, and made their way to a
comfortable farmhouse, situated in the midst of