"How large a tin box was it, father?" continued Joe, presently.
"Some eight inches long, by half as many wide. Could I have misplaced it in any way?" and Mr. Clausin began to feel in his pockets. Once more he looked into the yawning safe.
"We don't seem to see it anywhere, sir," said Paul, who suspected what was coming.
The feed merchant stood up before them, with a very grave face. He was clasping both hands together in a nervous fashion.
"Then there is only one thing that can have happened, boys! I have been robbed while I lay here unconscious!" he said, solemnly, at which Bobolink gasped.
"Do you miss any money from your safe, sir?" questioned Paul, who seemed to be able to keep his head in this crisis.
"Fortunately I took my wife's advice this time," returned the owner of the feed store, "and deposited all I had in the bank this afternoon. Still, possibly the thief believed I would keep it here. Seeing that tin box, and suspecting that it might hold valuables, he has carried it off."
"Do you remember blowing out the lamp at all, sir?" asked Paul.
"I certainly did not," came the answer; "I can recollect seeing it as I arose. Then all grew dark!"