THE SEARCH FOR THE BLUE BOX.


Three days after his tragic death Hiram Bodley was buried. Although he
was fairly well known in the lake region only a handful of people came
to his funeral. Joe was the chief mourner, and it can honestly be
said that he was much downcast when he followed the hermit to his last
resting place.

After the funeral several asked Joe what he intended to do. He could not
answer the question.

"Have you found that blue box?" questioned Doctor Gardner.

"No, sir, I have not thought of it."

"Probably it contains money and papers of value, Joe."

"I am going to look for it to-day," said the boy. "I--I couldn't look
for it while--while--"

"I understand. Well, I trust you locate the box and that it contains all
you hope for," added the physician.

As luck would have it, Ned Talmadge's family had just gone away on a
trip to the West, so Mr. Talmadge could offer the boy no assistance. But
Ned was on hand and did what he could.

"You don't know what you'll do next, do you, Joe?" asked Ned, as he and