, eh, Jack?"

"Well, you said there were eight, and now I can count only six. Why, it's
getting to be a regular clock-like piece of business. And after what
father said this morning, too."

"What did he say?" asked Paul.

"Come along. I'll tell you while we're on our way," and Jack gave a
nervous look over his shoulder, as though afraid lest his brother pop
out on them unawares.

As they walked slowly along the road he spoke in the affectionate manner
in which Mr. Stormways had declared his utmost faith in the honesty and
integrity of his two boys.

"But you're not sure that Karl has anything to do with the disappearing
coins. Other boys may have been up there to-day?" suggested his friend,
quickly.

"I asked mother, and she said she didn't remember that any one had come
to see me. No, the more I think about it the worse I feel. But I guess
you didn't have any time to see old Doc. Thomes before you went to the
city, did you?"

"That's just what I did, dropped into his shop, told him I was going down
to New York on business for dad, and asked if I could do anything for
him."

"Oh! how bright of you, Paul. And what did he say to that?"

"It seemed to quite tickle the old chap. He said he had a little package
he wanted to send in to a dealer on Fourteenth Street, and would be glad
if I took it to him, instead of his sending it by express."

"A package, Paul; did he say what it contained?" demanded the other,
almost holding his breath with sudden alarm.

"Yes, a lot of old coins he had been buying lately. Now, hold your
horses, Jack, my boy. He hadn't made it up yet, and I helped him do it.
There wasn't one of the same kind yours are. He bought the collection of
Chinese and Japanese coins old Captain Crocker owned. His widow had no
use for them, and needed the money."

"Oh, you gave me a scare, Paul; but I'm glad you saw them, for I'd always
imagine mine must have been in the lot; not that I care a bit for the old
things now; but it was the thought, you know, the terrible suspicion."

"Yes, and while about it I managed to see every old coin Doc. has in his
shop, for he was pleased to let me root around. And Jack, not a single
one of your missing pieces has he got, depend on it."

"Oh! well," remarked Jack, arousing himself, "let's try and forget my
troubles for a while. Unless I get it off my mind I'll lie awake again,
and then your father, the doctor, will give me some medicine that tastes
even worse than