Tony was not slow in going to sleep. Neither his hard bed nor his strange bedchamber troubled him.

Generally he slept all night without awakening, but to-night, for some unknown reason, he awoke about two o’clock. It was unusually light for that hour, and so he was enabled to see what at first startled him. The old man had raised a plank forming a part of the flooring, and had lifted from beneath it a canvas bag full of gold pieces. He was taking them out and counting them, apparently quite unconscious of Tony’s presence.

Tony raised himself on his elbow, and looked at him. It occurred to him that for a man so suspicious it was strange that he should expose his hoard before a stranger. Something, however, in the old man’s look led him to think that he was in a sleep-walking fit.

Ninety-five, ninety-six, ninety-seven,” Tony heard him count; “that makes nine hundred and seventy dollars, all gold, good, beautiful gold. Nobody knows the old man is so rich. There’s another bag, too. There are one hundred pieces in that. Three more and this will be full, too. Nobody must know, nobody must know.”

He put back the pieces, replaced the bag in its hiding place, and then, putting back the plank, lay down once more on his heap of rags.

How uneasy he would be,” thought Tony, “if he knew I had seen his treasures. But I wouldn’t rob him for the world, although the money would do me good, and he makes no use of it except to look at it.”

Tony slept till six when he was awakened by a piteous groaning.

“What’s the matter?” he asked.

Who’s there?” demanded Ben, terrified.

It’s only I. Don’t you remember you let me sleep here last night?”

“Oh, yes. I remember now. I’m sick; very sick.”

“How do you feel?”

“I’m aching and trembling all over. Do you think I’m going to die?” he asked, with a startled look.

Oh, no, I guess not,” said Tony reassuringly.

I never felt so before,” groaned Ben. “I’m an old man. Don’t you really think I shall die?”

Tony knew nothing of medicines or of diseases, but he had the sense to understand that the old man would be more likely to recover if his terror could be allayed, and he said lightly:

“Oh, it’s only a trifle. You’ve taken cold, very likely. A cup of hot tea would be good for you.”

“I haven’t any tea,” groaned Ben. “It costs a great deal, and I’m very poor. I can’t afford to buy it.”

Tony smiled, remembering the hoard of gold.

I guess you’ve got some money,” said Tony. “You’d better let me go to the store, and buy some tea and a fresh roll for you.”

“How much will it cost?” asked Ben.

I can get some bread, and tea, and sugar for thirty or forty cents,” answered Tony.

Forty cents! It’s frightful!” exclaimed Ben. “I—I guess I’ll do without it.”

“Oh, well, if you prefer to lie there and die, it’s none of my business,” said Tony, rather provoked.

But I don’t want to die,” whined Ben.

Then do as I tell you.”

Tony jumped up, unrolled his coat and put it on.

Now,” he said, “I’m ready to go for you, if you............