tramp lumberman! And I did tell you to give him my old coat. I forgot all
about having left the papers in it. I was so busy talking to Mr. Johnson
that I never thought about them. And did the tramp take the coat?"

"He did, Mr. Bunker. And he said to thank you and that he was glad to get
it. He went off wearing it."

"And my papers--worth a large sum of money--were in the pocket!" exclaimed
Mr. Bunker. "I never thought about them, for I was so busy about selling
Mr. Johnson the lumber. It's too bad!"

"I'm sorry," said the clerk. "If I had known the papers were in the old
coat I'd have looked through the pockets before I gave it to the tramp."

"Oh, it wasn't your fault," said Mr. Bunker quickly. "It was my own. I
should have remembered about the papers being in the coat. But do you know
who that tramp was, and where he went?"

"I never saw him before," replied Mr. Donlin, "and I haven't seen him
since. Maybe the police could find him."

"That's it! That's what we'll have to do!" cried Mr. Bunker. "I shall have
to send the police to find the old lumberman; not that he has done
anything wrong, but to get back my papers. He may keep the coat. Very
likely he hasn't even found the papers. Yes, I must tell the police!"

But before Mr. Bunker could do this in came the postman with the mail.
There were several letters for the real estate dealer, and when he saw one
he exclaimed: