CHAPTER III
THE DISAPPEARING COINS
"Just thirteen gone now," said Jack, as he bent over to look for himself.
"Of course you know what they were, those that are missing?" suggested Paul.
"I have a list of the bunch somewhere; made it out one day just for fun. Yes, I think I could tell them again; but I never would have the heart to accuse old Doc. Thomes of buying stolen coins; and the thief—never!"
"I didn't mean that, Jack; you mistook me. Suppose I had that list, and rooting over all the little boxes he keeps his coins in for sale, found every one of the missing ones there?"
"Yes, and then what?" asked the other, greatly affected, though watching his chum's face eagerly, as though something seemed to tell him Paul would find a way out of the difficulty, such was his faith in the other.
"Why, perhaps you might buy the whole lot back, for almost a song, and never say a word."
A hand crept out and squeezed Paul's warmly; and there were tears in the eyes of Jack Stormways as he made answer.