Stooping down, she cautiously picked it up and examined it. Marie was looking over her shoulder, brought there by her exclamation.
“There’s writing on it, Mollie!” Marie cried. “There; on the side!”
Mollie turned it over, and saw the words, dim and blurred by time:
“To Junius Cobb. Important!”
“In God’s name, do not delay in opening this cylinder!”
With palpitating hearts and bated breath, the two girls stood with their eyes glued upon the inscription. Finally, Mollie, in a solemn voice, said to her companion:
“Junius has never seen this. It has been mislaid. It is our duty to send it to him at once.”
“But you do not know where they will go from America,” referring to Hugh and Cobb.
“True,” sadly. “We may not see them for a week or more. What shall we do?” in a tone of inquiry.
“Why, put it where he will see it when he returns,” answered Marie, as if there was no doubt of the propriety of the action.