"I wonder how Bob Gartley knew of it, though, and why he seemed to think it rather a valuable piece of information?"
"Yes, that's decidedly puzzling, except that sometimes uneducated people like to make an absurd mystery over simple things, just to increase their own importance. Perhaps he wanted to rouse Albert's curiosity."
"He succeeded in rousing ours, at any rate."
"And we haven't gratified it. A key without a lock is a rather useless discovery. I shall take it, though, and keep it carefully, in case it ever turns out to be of any use."
"Well, we've found the precious panel, but no fortune! It's rather a swindle!"
"Only exactly what I expected. I wanted to come just for the satisfaction of seeing there was nothing."
"We've had a ripping ride, at any rate!"
"Yes; and we'd better be going home again now. Come along and get our bikes."