Max whistled, evidently a signal, for Pierre promptly appeared with a rope over his shoulder.
"We sha'n't need that now," said Max. He proceeded to add some rapid directions in French. Pierre nodded, grinned cheerfully and set off at a fast pace.
"I've told him to get another man and come to knock in the vault wall," Max explained as they started toward the Manor. "We may not get it down this afternoon, but that's all that's left to try. I'm beastly annoyed about that tiresome hole. Why should a ripsnorter of a storm come on the one day when it could spoil our plans?"
"It's provoking." agreed Win. "Do you suppose there is really anything in the passage?"
"Blessed if I know!" replied Max. "The one thing sure is that there is a passage. There must be since we located one end of it in the cave. If it hadn't been for that, we might not be permitted to tear down the wall, but even Uncle is convinced now that the tunnel exists."
"Come and have tea," said Connie as they reached the Manor. "It's a bit early, but we may as well begin, for nobody knows how long it will take to pierce the vault."
Max went down to show the men where to work and reported that the stone seemed soft and inclined to break easily. "This isn't going to be much of a job," he reported. "I told Pierre to send word as soon as he struck through."
"What do you suppose the chest will look like?" asked Frances. "Will it be silver?"
"No such luck," Max replied. "Possibly metal, probably wood, always provided that we find it."
"You mustn't throw cold water, Max," reproved Connie from behind the tea-table. "Since we have found the passage, why not the chest? Let's have it a gorgeous one while we are about it, gold studded with uncut rubies and the Spanish crown in diamonds."