o gold whatever. Something
almost as splendid, though, since this was a mystery. A mystery with a
capital M! For if there were no mystery in the matter why should anybody
hide that strangely shaped, glittering brass bound box beneath a
chestnut-tree?

CHAPTER VI.

THE BRASS BOUND BOX

A moment later Kate had sped through the wood to the spot where Moses
was chopping, exclaiming:

"Oh, Mr. Jones, I've got to go home, back to Aunt Eunice's right away,
quick. Is there a shorter way than we came, or can I find that by
myself? Please tell me, quick, quick!"

Moses paused in his work and looked at the girl in great surprise. None
of his fishing-mates, if given such a chance as she had, would have gone
home till driven there; for the chestnuts had rattled out of their burrs
at a fine rate when he had threshed the trees, and it was impossible
that she should have gathered all or even many.

"Why, little Keehoty! Tired a'ready? An' I was plannin', by an' by, to
make a speck of fire in a safe place I know an' roast some the nuts.
Ever et hot roast chestnuts out in the woods?"

"No, no, never! Oh, dear! I'd like to. It--it makes me terribly hungry
to hear you speak of them, but--I must go home. Something has happened.
Something so important, I must, I must. Is there a shorter way? And if I
go by myself shall I meet a tramp?"

"'Tramp!' Bosh! That's Susanna's foolishness put into your head a'ready.
I only wish I could see a tramp, just to know the breed. But what is it
so important, if you please?"

"I can't tell you."

Moses whistled. "That's plump spoke, anyhow. Why can't ye? Are you sick?
Got a pain anywheres? Pep'mints are good for the stummick-ache, an' I
always carry a few in my pocket. See?" said the kindly old man, pulling
forth a paper bag and alluringly displaying its pink and white contents.

But to his further surprise Katharine declined the "pep'mints" and
indignantly denied the stomach ache, declaring that she must go home and
at once, and asking "which way first."

"Foller your nose, I reckon," retorted Mr. Jones, rather testily. He had
enjoyed the tale of Don Quixote, had taken a sudden fancy to Katharine,
had discovered that she knew "Oh, lots and lots more of stories just as
delightful," and had intended to do a small amount of chopping that day,
but a large amount of resting. The forest was in a glory of color, the
air was "mild as midsummer," and in his capacious pocket he had brought
his