I had actually forgotten it." "The sight of the nugget will bring it to mind." "That's so." Bickford felt for the nugget, without a suspicion that the search would be in vain.
Of course he did not find it.
"Joe, you are trying to play a trick on me," he said.

"You've taken the nugget." "What!" exclaimed Joe, starting.

"Is it missing ?" "Yes, and you know all about it.

Where have you put it, Joe ?" "On my honor, Joshua, I haven't touched it," said Joe seriously.
"Where did you place it ?" "Under my head--the last thing before I lay down." "Are you positive of it ?" "Certain, sure." "Then," said Joe, a little pale, "it must have been taken during the night." "Who would take it ?" "Let us find Hogan," said Joe, with instinctive suspicion.

"Who has seen Hogan ?" Hogan's claim was in sight, but he was not at work.