pleases, and amuses himself looking over your books and
magazines. Isn't that so, Jack?"

"Sure. My mother says this is Liberty Hall, judging from the way all my
chums go and come. But what's got you now? Do you think some other chap
may have fallen into the nasty habit of helping himself to my coins,
either to swell out his own collection, or to sell them to Doc. Thomes?"

"Oh! hardly that, although it seems possible. But don't worry too much
about it, Jack. I'm sure we'll discover the truth sooner or later."

"Anyhow I'll have eight to hide away; part of a loaf is better than no
bread," remarked the other, dejectedly.

"Oh! I wouldn't put them away, not just yet, anyhow, Jack."

"But, my goodness, perhaps I'll lose all of my coins if I leave them
around like this any longer on my desk!"

"That's so, but don't you see if you hide them, it shuts us off from ever
learning who is taking them."

"Oh! I see. You mean to catch him at it some time; is that the idea,
Paul?"

"Nothing less. I'll drop in at the old dealer in curios to-morrow, and
find out if he has any that are on this list. Listen, there's somebody at
the door!"

"It's only Carlo, scratching to get in. Open the door, please, Paul."

As the other did so a large Newfoundland dog stalked solemnly in, paid
little heed to either of the occupants of the den, but snuggled down in
a corner, where there was an old cushion, evidently placed there for his
especial use.

"My! he's getting fatter than ever," remarked Paul, surveying the bulging
sides of the shaggy canine, as he curled himself up as if to sleep.

"I believe he is, the scamp. I see it when I put him through his paces
with all the tricks I taught him. He's getting too logy, and has to be
told three times before he'll do a blessed thing. But about this wretched
matter, Paul--you won't say anything to your folks, will you?"

"Not for the world. It's your secret, and I'd never leak a word without
your permission. But I must be off now. Leave things just as you always
have done; and don't shut or lock the door here any more than before.
I've got to do some studying over this Boy Scout affair when I get
back. Whitson loaned me some pamphlets, but I didn't have time to read
them through."

Jack accompanied his friend down to the front door. Here Karl, having
heard them descending the stairs, joined them; and so far as Paul could
see there was no change in the boy's manner. If he had done wrong he mus