"Billy!" she whispered, almost forgetting caution in her anxiety. "What is it?"
He pointed a shaking finger at Croaker. "See that shiny thing that old rogue has in his bill, Lou!" he asked. "What do you 'spose that is?"
"Why, what is it?"
"It's one of the gold pieces your uncle hid away. Come on, now we'll see that Croaker throw a fit."
They stepped out into plain view of the crow, who was muttering to the gold-piece which he now held before his eyes in one black claw. Croaker lowered his head and twisted it from side to side in sheer wonder. He could scarcely believe his eyes. Then as Billy stepped forward and called him by name his black neck-ruff arose in anger and, dropping his prized bit of gold, he poured out such a torrent of abuse upon the boy and girl that Lou put her fingers in her ears to stop the sound.
"He's awful mad," grinned Billy. "He's been keepin' this find to himself fer a long time." At sound of his master's voice Croaker paused in his harangue and promptly changed his tactics. He swooped down to Billy's shoulder and rubbed the top of his glossy head against the boy's cheek, whispering low and lying terms of endearment.
Lou laughed, "What's he up to now, Billy?"
"He's tryin' to coax me away from his treasure," Billy answered. "Now, jest watch him."
"What you want'a do, Croaker?" he asked, stroking the bird's neck feathers smooth.
"Kawak!" said Croaker, and jumping to the ground he started away, head twisted backward toward the boy and girl, coaxing sounds pouring from his half open beak.