The expression of joy and surprise that came upon David’s face as he hesitatingly, almost reluctantly, took the crisp, new bill that was held toward him, amply repaid Don for the loss of the pleasure he had expected to derive in spending the money for Christmas presents.

“Why, I understood you to say that father and Dan had drawn this money,” said he, as soon as he could speak.

“So they did, but my father says the loss is mine and not yours.”

David drew a long breath.  He understood the matter now.  “It isn’t fair that you should pay it twice,” said he.

“I haven’t paid it twice; that is, I haven’t paid you at all.  It’s all right, David, you may depend upon it.  They’ll never fool us again.  If I should ever have any more of your money, nobody could get it except yourself.”

“Or mother,” added David.

“O, of course.  I wouldn’t be afraid to trust her.”

“I was in hopes that you would have a good deal of my money in your hands some day,” continued David.  “I was going to ask you to keep my hundred and fifty dollars for me; but I don’t know now whether I shall ever get it or not.”

“Of course you’ll get it,” exclaimed Bert.  “You are not going to give up the idea of trapping the quails, are you?”

“No, but I don’t know that I shall make anything at it, for Dan and Lester can break up my traps faster than I can make them.”

“Well, they’ll not break up a single one of your traps, because——­”

Here Don began and hurriedly repeated the conversation which he and Bert had had with their father a few hours before.  As David listened the look of trouble his face had worn all that day gradually faded away, and the old happy smile took its place.  His confidence in his friends had not been misplaced; Dan and Lester Brigham were to be outwitted after all.

The traps and the “figure fours” with which they were to be set, could be built there in the shop, Don said.  There were tools and a bench and everything else needful close at hand, so that the work could be done in half the time that David had expected to devote to it.  As fast as the traps were completed they were to be set in General Gordon’s fields.  They would be safe there and Dan Evans or Lester Brigham or anybody else who came near them, would be likely to get himself into trouble.  The negroes were always at work in the fields in the daytime, and if they were told to keep their eyes open and report any outsiders who might be seen prowling about the fences, they would be sure to do it.  The best course David could pursue would be to say nothing more about trapping the quails.  Let Dan believe that he had become discouraged and given up the enterprise.  If he wanted to know what it was that took his brother over to General Gordon’s house so regularly, David could tell him that he was doing some work there, which would be the truth; and besides it would be all Dan had any right to know.