At recess Frank, Charles, and Tony went up to a neighbor's house close by to get some water. When they had drunk, and were passing through the wood-house to return, Charles observed an old wallet lying on a bench.
"Twig!" said he in his peculiar style.
"That must be Farmer Whipple's," replied Tony.
"Probably the farmer laid it down when he was paying somebody some money," added Frank.
"I will carry it to him," said Charles. "He is out in the garden."
"Don't meddle with it," answered Tony. "We will see him, and tell him it is here."
"But somebody might steal it in the meantime."
"Nobody will; I wouldn't meddle with it."
The boys walked off towards the schoolhouse, but they did not find the farmer in the garden.
"He was here when we came up," said Tony. "I will find him;" and he walked towards the barn, while Charles and Frank continued on their way.