se
investigators to entirely lose sight of the real possessor in
shadowing the man sent out to recover the article.

Another point which the boy considered was the possibility of the
Little Brass God having been robbed of his treasure before being
placed in the pawnshop. This idea, however, he soon rejected for
the reason that no one would know better than the man who inspired
the larceny whether the will was still retained in the cavity of
the toy. Had he secured the document, he would be the last one to
offer a high reward for the return of the odd casket in which it
had been contained.

While the boy puzzled over the case, Pierre and Thede sat down to
their evening meal. George was invited to join them in the repast,
but declined on the ground that he had eaten supper not long
before. After the meal was over, Pierre took up his rifle and left
the cabin, scowling at George over his shoulder as he took his
departure.

"He's pretty sore about your being here," grinned Thede.

"I don't know why he should be."

"Perhaps he thinks you've come up here to steal this little Brass
God."

The boy was very anxious to get back to his chums in order that the
situation might be thoroughly discussed. They were in the Hudson
Bay country in quest of the Little Brass God, and here was Thede on
the same mission. It seemed to him that if Pierre had really had
the toy in his possession, Thede would have caught sight of it, at
least,

The more he thought of this phase of the case, the more he was
inclined to believe that Pierre was also in search of the Little
Brass God.

"Pierre will be apt to raise a howl if I leave the cabin alone,"
the boy finally said. "He's fierce when he gets mad!"

"You don't seem to be afraid of him," replied, George.

"I'm afraid of him all right," the other replied, "but I don't
intend to let him know it. I've got one of these billies inside my
coat, all the time, and if he tries any funny business with me I'll
knock his block off!"

"He could cut you into shoestrings while you are asleep!"

"Yes, I suppose so, but be won't do anything of the kind!"

"Well, come on over to camp," urged George. "It isn't so very much
of a walk. I guess we can make it in half an hour."

Thede hesitated, but finally dressed himself for a cold journey,
and fixed the fire so that no damage might be done by it during his
absence.

"How long has Pierre lived in this cabin?" asked George, as the
boys sta