Meanwhile Smith had opened the box, and his disappointment had been great when he found the nature of its contents. Actually but four hundred dollars were immediately available, and, as the banker no doubt had recorded the number of the government bonds, there would be risk in selling them. Besides, even if sold, they would produce, at the market price, barely eleven hundred dollars. As to the bank and railway shares, they could not be negotiated, and no doubt duplicates would be applied for. So, after all, the harvest was likely to prove small, especially as Smith had passed his word to divide with Martin.
After a while it occurred to him that, as Martin did not know the contents of the box, he could easily be deceived into supposing them less than they were. He must tell a falsehood; but then Smith's conscience was tough, and he had told a great many in the course of his life.
When Martin was ushered into the room, he found his confederate looking rather sober.
"Have you opened the box?" inquired Martin, eagerly.
"Yes," said Smith, rather contemptuously. "A great haul you made, I must say."
"Wasn't there anything in it?" asked Martin, in dismay.
"Yes, there were plenty of bank and railroad shares."
"Can't we sell them?" queried Martin, whose knowledge of business was limited.
"You must be a fool! We can't sell them without the owner's indorsement. Perhaps you'll call and ask him for it."
"Can't we do anything with them, then?" asked Martin, anxiously.