It was now evident to Lawry that something serious had happened, and he sprang into the small keel-boat, used for conveying foot-passengers across the lake, which was fastened to a stake on the shore. Taking the oars, he pulled with all his might toward the ferry-boat. He was a stout boy, and handled his oars very skillfully; but before he could reach the scene of the excitement, his father had returned to the bateau.
"There's your coat," said John Wilford.
Mr. Randall seized the garment with convulsive energy, and with trembling hands felt for the pocketbook in which the six thousand dollars had been kept.
"It is gone!" gasped he; and he seemed ready to sink down in the bottom of the boat when he discovered his loss.
"Gone!" exclaimed John Wilford.
"What's the matter?" asked Lawry.
"I've lost my pocketbook with six thousand dollars in it," groaned the bank director.
"How did you lose it?" demanded Lawry.
"That drop came down and let my coat into the lake; but I don't see how my pocketbook could get out of the coat."
"I don't believe the money was in the pocket," added the ferryman.