"Then it must be floating about on the water," added Lawry. "I will try to find it."
"I'll go with you," said Mr. Randall.
They got into the boat, and Lawry pulled about the spot where the coat had fallen into the water for half an hour without discovering the pocketbook.
"I suppose I must give it up," sighed the director.
"I'm sure it's not on the water," replied Lawry.
"Do you suppose it would sink?"
"I don't know; the gentleman in the ferry-boat says it wouldn't."
"Stop a minute, boy, and I will soon find out," continued the unfortunate loser of the money.
He took all the money and papers out of his wallet, and stuffed it with pieces of newspaper which Lawry gave him. Having thus prepared the wallet, which he said was of the same material as the lost pocketbook, he placed it on the surface of the water, holding his hand underneath to save it, in case the trial should result differently from his anticipations. It floated, and he removed his hand from under it to exhibit his confidence in the law he had tested.
"That's plain enough," said he. "My pocketbook hasn't gone to the bottom."