"Then why do you want to know where he has hid his money?"
Fred deliberated hurriedly. There was no way except to take the boy into his confidence.
"I see you are an honest boy," he said, "and I like you better for it."
"That's all right, but why do you want me to tell you where Mr. Bowman has hidden his money?"
"Can you keep a secret?"
"Is there a secret?"
"Yes; the package which this man has hidden contains bonds which he stole from a New York banker."
"How do you know that?"
"Because I am sent to get them back, if possible. That is why I have come to St. Victor, and that is why I have formed the acquaintance of Mr. Bowman."
"Is this true?" asked the boy, not wholly without suspicion.