"Sure," replied his chum; "and perhaps after we've found out the
wonderful secret, you may even find it in your heart to look on it as
a joke, and forgive him."

"You don't say? Perhaps, though, I might hardly feel like forgiving a
fellow who would be mean enough to sneak up here so often, and take my
old coins. Think of the ugly feelings he's made me have toward my own
brother. I'll never look Karl in the eye after this without feeling
conscience-stricken. I don't know about forgiving him so easy as all
that," grumbled Jack.

"Oh! well, don't cross a bridge till you come to it. That's a good motto
for you and for me. Perhaps there are times when I feel the need of it.
Perhaps there's one right now," and Paul shrugged his shoulders as he
spoke, half laughingly.

"There, I knew that something had gone wrong with you lately. I've
watched you when you thought I wasn't looking, and I've seen you frown.
Suppose you take your old chum into your confidence, Paul? What's
happened? Any trouble at home? Are you bothered over the Boy Scout troop
we've been organizing? Is it about your school affairs?"

Paul shook his head each time the other brought forward a suggestion.

"You're a most determined fellow, Jack," he said, good naturedly; "and
perhaps I hadn't ought to speak of such a thing to anybody; but we've
been chums so long, and misery likes company, you know."

"Then you _are_ in trouble; and you mean to confess to me? Thank you,
Paul, for what you say. I don't think I ever had any cause for worrying