Then both replaced a part of the earth, and carried away the remainder to the distance of a hundred feet or so. Finally they brought a quantity of leaves and covered the spot.

“There,” said Temple, with a look of satisfaction; “it’s safe enough now. It’ll take a smart detective to find it, I reckon.”

“You’re right there, Ralph,” said his companion. “It would be a bad sort of joke if we couldn’t find it ourselves,” he added, after a pause.

“I can find it, never you fear!” said Temple. “I know these woods as well as anybody, and shan’t forget the spot.”

“All the same, I wish I had some of that money now. I’m almost dead broke.”

“So am I; but I can let you have enough to get back to the city.”

“And suppose,” said Vernon, with an uneasy look, “you should take a fancy to remove that box while I am away?”

“Don’t be afraid. Ralph Temple isn’t that kind of a man. He’ll stand by his pard and treat him fair.”

“It would be a rough trick to play on me, Ralph,” said Vernon, apparently not quite free from uneasiness.

“So it would; but there is no danger. Even if I did couldn’t you expose the whole thing, and have me arrested?”