CHAPTER XV
NATURE LENDS A HAND
The attic was immense. It had never been finished off into rooms. It contained a rare assortment of cast-off things that had accumulated over a period of years. To really do a thorough job of searching seemed impossible. And yet——
“We’ve got to get done with this,” said Jimmie, after prying into a dozen dusty chests of drawers. “You can’t tell when those men might come here again and then——”
“We’d be trapped,” said Jimmie and saw the girl’s hand tremble.
“Say!” the boy exclaimed. “Here’s a queer sort of box. Looks Oriental. Such queer hinges. Dragons done in green with yellow eyes. Let’s have a look.”
As he lifted the heavy lid he moved the box a little and there came forth the clank of steel.
“Oh!” the girl breathed. “Battle axes, or something.”
“No,” said Jimmie, ten seconds later with an uncertain laugh, “head-hunter’s weapons from Borneo or somewhere. See!” He lifted a heavy affair with a keen blade. “I’ve read about these. You tap the victim with the small end, then cut off his head with the blade. Stained with blood many a time, like as not. Man that got these must have traveled.” He dropped the axe with a clang that rose above the roar of thunder.
“Hey! What’s that?” John came rushing over to them.
“Just an echo from out of the past,” Jimmie laughed.