f their musings, dim but ominous
prophecies moved; both boys began to have the feeling that, somehow,
this affair was going to get beyond them and that they would be in heavy
trouble before it was over--they knew not why. They knew why no more
than they knew why they felt it imperative to keep the fact of Whitey's
presence in the stable a secret from their respective families; but they
did begin to realize that keeping a secret of that size was going to be
attended with some difficulty. In brief, their sensations were becoming
comparable to those of the man who stole a house.

Nevertheless, after a short period given to unspoken misgivings, they
returned to the subject of the reward. The money-value of bay horses, as
compared to white, was again discussed, and each announced his certainty
that nothing less than "a good ole hunderd dollars" would be offered for
the return of Whitey.

But immediately after so speaking they fell into another silence, due to
sinking feelings. They had spoken loudly and confidently, and yet they
knew, somehow, that such things were not to be. According to their
knowledge, it was perfectly reasonable to suppose that they would
receive this fortune; but they frightened themselves in speaking of it.
They knew that they COULD not have a hundred dollars for their own. An
oppression, as from something awful and criminal, descended upon them at
intervals.

Presently, however, they were warmed to a little cheerfulness again by
Penrod's suggestion that they should put a notice in the paper. Neither
of them had the slightest idea how to get it there; but such details as
that were beyond the horizon; they occupied themselves with the question
of what their advertisement ought to "say". Finding that they differed
irreconcilably, Penrod went to his cache in the sawdust-box and brought
two pencils and a supply of paper. He gave one of the pencils and
several sheets to Sam; then both boys bent themselves in silence to the
labour of practical composition. Penrod produced the briefer
paragraph. (See Fig. I.) Sam's was more ample. (See Fig. II.)
------------------[Transcribed from handwritten illustration for Project
Gutenberg:] FIG. I. Reward. White horse in Schofields ally finders got
him in Schofields stable and will let him taken away by by (crossed out:
pay) paying for good food he has aten while (crossed out: wat w) while
(crossed out: wat) waiting and Reward of (crossed out: $100 $20 $15 $5)
$10.