"Well," said Jack, finally, when they found that they were alone, the nearest comrades being far behind on the road; "the four coins are still there in the snug little box, Paul."
His companion looked quickly at him.
"You carried out my suggestion then?" he asked.
"Yes. The door has been closed and locked all day. Even the window was shut down and fastened," replied Jack.
"That made the little den as tight as a drum, eh?" laughed his chum.
"I should say it did. If any one got in there to-day he would have to slip through the keyhole," came from Jack.
"Unless he happened to have a duplicate key," Paul went on, seriously. "And since you found the four coins there that could hardly have happened. Sure you counted four, are you?"
"That's positive," returned his companion; "but to tell the truth I did get a little scare. At first I counted only three."
"But you found the fourth all right, Jack?"
"Oh! yes," replied the other. "It was gummed fast to the side of the box. I had to scrape it off before I put it back. But when do you mean to tell me what you know about this strange affair, Paul?"