"What is?" asked the other, though a sudden suspicion of the truth flashed through his mind.
"About Steve. How could he be so mean?" Bandy-legs went on.
"Hello! what do you know about it?" demanded Max.
"I saw him!" answered the cook, shaking his head in a dolorous fashion. "Say, I've been thinking it over all the time. I was awake when you and Owen came in. And somehow, Max, I just feel awful about it. He must be half crazy to do such a thing."
"Perhaps he is," admitted Max, cautiously. "But look here, do you mean you were awake last night, and saw what Steve did? Is that it, Bandy-legs?"
"Yes. And, Max, he put the pearls in our old coffee pot, would you believe it?" the other went on, excitedly.
Max took out the stout little pocketbook which was intended for silver. As he opened this he remarked:
"Hold your hand, Bandy-legs."
"Good gracious! two, three beautiful pearls! Say, are they ours, the first one as well as the other two? And how did you get hold of them, Max?" cried the other when he could catch his breath.
So, of course, Max had to tell him the whole story.