"He would find none here. I do not keep any in this cabin. I did have some, but it is in your hands."
"Shall I not return it to you, sir?"
"No; I prefer that you should keep it. You will be using money for me daily, and for the present you shall be my treasurer."
"I am very much obliged to you for reposing so much confidence in me," said Mark.
"I trust you entirely. You have an honest face."
"Thank you, sir. I will endeavor to deserve your confidence."
It was past four o'clock when Mark left the cabin and started on his way homeward. He walked along thoughtfully, carrying his gun over his shoulder.
"It seems I have a near friend," he reflected; "and one who may be of service to me. Now that the shop is no longer running full time, it will be convenient to earn a little extra money, old Anthony must be rich, judging from what he said about his success in California."
Mark could not help wondering where the hermit kept his money. But for Anthony's positive assurance, he would have conjectured that he kept it somewhere concealed about the cabin, but that being left out of the question he was at a loss to fix upon any probable place of deposit.
Leaving Mark for a brief time; we go back to the other two young hunters, from whom he had separated two hours before.