For an instant Jasper Parloe changed color and looked a bit worried. But it was only for an instant. Then he grinned again and his little eyes twinkled just as though he were amused. But Tom kept on, bluntly, saying:
"We found something there, Parloe, and we came up here to see if it belongs to you."
"What's that?" asked the man, drawing nearer. "I ain't lost nothing."
"Don't say that," said Tom, quickly. "At least, don't say you haven't hidden something."
But he could not catch Mr. Parloe again. The man shook his head slowly and looked as though he hadn't the least idea of what Tom was driving at.
"Look here," continued the boy, and drew forth the japanned box.
"Well! Well!" and Jasper's mean little eyes twinkled more than ever. "You don't mean to say you found that down yonder?"
"We did," said Tom, tartly.
"Now, where was it?"
"Where it had been hidden," snapped Tom, quite disgusted with the old man. "Where it was supposed to be very safe, I reckon."