, but he was in
no position to bargain. They came out smoking twopenny cigars whose
strength was remarkable for their age, and before they parted Mr. Chase
was pledged to the hilt to do all that he could to save Mrs. Teak from
the vice of avarice.

It was a more difficult undertaking than he had supposed. The house,
small and compact, seemed to offer few opportunities for the concealment
of large sums of money, and after a fortnight's residence he came to the
conclusion that the treasure must have been hidden in the garden. The
unalloyed pleasure, however, with which Mrs. Teak regarded the efforts
of her husband to put under cultivation land that had lain fallow for
twenty years convinced both men that they were on a wrong scent. Mr.
Teak, who did the digging, was the first to realize it, but his friend,
pointing out the suspicions that might be engendered by a sudden
cessation of labour, induced him to persevere.

"And try and look as if you liked it," he said, severely. "Why, from the
window even the back view of you looks disagreeable."

"I'm fair sick of it," declared Mr. Teak. "Anybody might ha' known she
wouldn't have buried it in the garden. She must 'ave been saving for
pretty near thirty years, week by week, and she couldn't keep coming out
here to hide it. 'Tain't likely."

Mr. Chase pondered. "Let her know, casual like, that I sha'n't be 'ome
till late on Saturday," he said, slowly. "Then you come 'ome in the
afternoon and take her out. As soon as you're gone I'll pop in and have
a thorough good hunt round. Is she fond of animals?"

"I b'lieve so," said the other, staring. "Why?"

"Take 'er to the Zoo," said Mr. Chase, impressively. "Take two-penn'orth
o' nuts with you for the monkeys, and some stale buns for--for--for
animals as likes 'em. Give 'er a ride on the elephant and a ride on the
camel."

"Anything else?" inquired Mr. Teak disagreeably. "Any more ways you can
think of for me to spend my money?"

"You do as I tell you," said his friend. "I've got an idea now where it
is. If I'm able to show you where to put your finger on three 'undred
pounds when you come 'ome it'll be the cheapest outing you have ever 'ad.
Won't it?"

Mr. Teak made no reply, but, after spending the evening in deliberation,
issued the invitation at the supper-table. His wife's eyes sparkled at
first; then the light slowly faded from them and her face fell.

"I can't go," she said, at last. "I've got