Just then Bryan emerged from the door, with a most lachrymose expression of countenance, and was very much astonished to find that his stay did not produce an equally woe-begone effect upon Tom.
"There's no thrunks goin'," said Bryan. "The fellow as was leavin', ain't leavin' yet; because somebody's after leavin' him a lot o' money.
"Come, jump up, then," cried Bobolink, "and don't be wasting time there."
At that moment his eye caught that of Sterling, who, with Travers, had commenced a search for the lost pocket-book. Instinct told him in an instant what their occupation was, and yet he determined to keep the money.
"My man," said Travers to Bryan, "did you see anything of a pocket-book near this door?"
"Is it me?" replied Bryan. "Do I look as if I'd seen it? I wish I had!"
"What for? you'd keep it, I suppose?" observed Travers.
"Bad luck to the keep," replied Bryan; "and to you for thinkin' it! but it's the way of the world—a ragged waistcoat's seldom suspected of hidin' an honest heart."
"Come, old friend," said Henry to Sterling, "these men have not seen it, evidently;" and off they went on their fruitless errand, while a feeling of great relief spread itself over Bobolink's heart at their departure.
"How wild that ould fellow looked," said Bryan.