“Yes, and you know all about it. Where have you put it, Joe?”
“On my honor, Joshua, I haven’t touched it,” said Joe seriously. “Where did you place it?”
“Under my head—the last thing before I lay down.”
“Are you positive of it?”
“Certain, sure.”
“Then,” said Joe, a little pale, “it must have been taken during the night.”
“Who would take it?”
“Let us find Hogan,” said Joe, with instinctive suspicion. “Who has seen Hogan?”
Hogan’s claim was in sight, but he was not at work. Neither was he taking breakfast.
“I’ll bet the skunk has grabbed the nugget and cleared out,” exclaimed Bickford, in a tone of conviction.