"Now where does the boy keep his valuables?" Buffington asked himself.
He searched all Mark's pockets, even to the vest, but without finding anything.
Next he turned his attention to the gripsack, but that proved to contain only wearing apparel. But Mr. Buffington was sharp enough to understand the ways of wary travelers. He went to the bed, and gently slid his hand under the pillow. That is the most common hiding-place for watches and other valuables. But he made no discovery.
Buffington paused to reflect on the situation.
"The kid has certainly got a pocketbook," he soliloquized. "He can't travel without money. Now where is it? That is the question."
He had searched everywhere else. He decided that it must be concealed somewhere about the bed. Finally he made a correct guess.
He approached the bed at the lower end, and raising the covering began to feel about in the neighborhood of Mark's feet. Now, as probably all my young readers know from personal experience, the feet are very sensitive, and there are few who are not "ticklish."
Mark who had been unconscious of the intruder's presence till now speedily became aware that some one was fumbling about his feet. On the impulse of the moment he drew one foot back and extended it suddenly in the act of kicking.
Mr. Buffington withdrew his hand swiftly, and looked anxiously at the sleeper.
Mark's eyes did not open, and the burglar resolved after a suitable pause to continue his investigations. But Mark's slumbers, since the interruption, were not as sound as before. When the visitor continued his manipulations he woke suddenly, and opening his eyes took in the situation. He recognized Mr. Buffington's features and at once was wide awake.