matter. The advantages to the pawnbroker of this secret
arrangement would be many. In the first place, anyone following
Pierre would naturally suppose him to be the person having
possession of the Little Brass God. This would naturally cause
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."