Having eaten their fill of the fish and the crackers, and leaving Billy Dill and some of the others busy making turtle soup, the boys and Captain Sanders took another walk along the beach, to look over the wreckage and also see if they could sight the Golden Eagle, or locate Jasniff or Merwell.
“I hope we can find those two fellows,” said Dave. “I can stand this suspense no longer. I must know what has become of those jewels!”
CHAPTER XXIII—A STRANGE DISCOVERY
A half-mile was covered when, on turning a point of rocks, the boys and the captain came to a sandy cove. Here was more of the wreckage, and the whole party ran down to the beach to investigate.
Boxes, barrels, and bits of timber were strewn from one end of the cove to the other, and in the mass were a number of things of more or less value—timber, food, and some clothing. There was also a trunk, but it was open and empty.
“Look!” cried Dave, suddenly, and pointed to a small, black leather case, that rested on some of the wreckage.
“What is it?” queried Phil and Roger, in a breath.
Dave did not reply, for he was crawling over the wreckage with care. Soon he reached the spot where the black leather case rested, caught on a nail, and he picked it up. The clasp was undone and the case fell open, revealing the interior, which was lined with white plush.
“Empty!” murmured Dave, sadly. “Empty!” There was a groan in his voice as he uttered the word.
“What is it, Dave?” asked the senator’s son, although he and Phil guessed the truth.