The mouth was secured by a cord, and Lindsay fumbled long trying to untie the knot.
"Oh! don't bother over it; here's my penknife," cried Cicely, waxing impatient.
In another moment she had cut the string, and a shower of golden sovereigns came pouring out on to the floor. The two girls looked at each other, with faces that were almost awe-stricken.
"Cicely!" said Lindsay solemnly. "I verily believe we have found Sir Giles's fortune!"
A further examination established the matter beyond any doubt. The bags were filled to the brim with gold pieces. In a state of intense excitement the girls continued their investigations. The two large sacks contained salvers, tankards, and goblets, dull and tarnished indeed, but unmistakably of silver. It was difficult to get at the boxes, but they managed to clamber up and open one at the top of the pile, disclosing more silver articles and some ornaments of gold.
"Don't let us pull out too many things, or we shan't be able to stuff them back again," said Cicely, trying to close the lid of the overflowing hair trunk.
"No doubt these underneath are filled with money or jewels," said Lindsay rapturously.
"This little box seems made of silver," remarked Cicely, taking up a small antique casket that specially claimed her attention. Its sides were beautifully chased in classic designs, and it bore the Courtenay arms on the lid.
"It's full of pieces of paper, with figures on them," she continued.
"Let me look!" cried Lindsay. "Why, don't you see?—they're bank notes!"