The next day, when he called to inquire
after the old man, he was told that he was dead. He sank steadily after
his last interview with our hero, and, having parted with the key to
his treasure, it seemed as if there was nothing left to live for.

CHAPTER VI.

THE REVELATION.

Tom had already made up his mind upon one point. He would accept the
bequest of his old companion, since, in so doing, he was robbing no one
better entitled to it. So far as he knew, the old man had no relatives
or friends, except himself. But he was determined that, since Jacob had
money, he should not be buried at the public expense. He would take so
much of the hundred dollars as might be necessary, and place it in the
hands of the doctor at Bellevue Hospital to defray the expenses of
Jacob's funeral. He would say nothing about it, however, till he had
actually found the money. It might be a hallucination of Jacob's, and
have no real existence.

"When will he be buried?" he inquired at the hospital.

"Day after to-morrow."

"How much will it cost?"

"Do not trouble yourself about that," said the physician, who judged
that Tom was poor. "That will be done at the expense of the city."

"But," said Tom, conscientiously, "he left a little money. At least he
told me so. If I find it, I will pay out of it whatever it costs."

"It is not necessary."

"I would rather do it; that is, if I find the money. It didn't do him
any good while he was alive, and he lost his life in getting a part of
it."

"Then, if you find this money, you may pay the expense of the coffin."

"How much will that be."

"From ten to fifteen dollars."

"I will bring you fifteen dollars to-morrow," said Tom.

Of course Tom might easily have saved this money, and applied it to his
own use; but his feeling was one that did him credit. As he had for
years supported Jacob, he had of course spent for him much more than
the hundred dollars, and so might have considered himself justly
entitled to all the money, but this thought never occurred to him.

After leaving the hospital, Tom went home at once. It was his duty now
to ascertain whether Jacob had labored under a delusion, or whether he
really possessed the money he had spoken of.

Entering the room, he locked the door from motives of prudence. Then,
following the directions of the old man, he went to the part of the
room indicated, and, getting down on his knees, soon found the board
beneath which the tr