“Aren’t you going to open it?” War demanded impatiently. “Maybe it’s important.”
Mr. Livingston smiled and ripped open the soiled envelope. As he unfolded the closely written pages, a small, hard, cotton-wrapped object dropped to the floor.
Jack stooped to pick it up. His fingers closed over a sizeable green stone. He stared in amazement.
“Look at this!” he exclaimed. “An emerald!”
The others studied the gem which he held up.
“A chunk of green glass,” insisted Willie.
“No, Willie,” Mr. Livingston corrected him.
“You mean it’s a real emerald?”
“Yes, Willie,” the Scout leader soberly confirmed. “This letter and the gem are from an old friend of mine. Give me a moment to scan his message, and I’ll tell you what it’s all about.”