The sight which met his gaze filled him with surprise and satisfaction. On a rude couch at one side of the single room of which the structure boasted, rested Slugger Brown, his ankle tied up in a rude bandage. In front of the fire sat Nappy Martell with the old lumberman's treasure box on his lap. Nappy had a knife in one hand, and, with the file blade, was trying to file apart the padlock to the box.
CHAPTER XXX
SETTLING ACCOUNTS—CONCLUSION
"How are you making out?" those outside the cabin heard Slugger Brown ask.
"It's slow work with such a small file," grumbled Nappy Martell. "If I had a big file I could get the padlock off in no time."
"What's the matter with smashing it off with a rock?" growled the bully. He arose to his feet and hobbled to where his crony sat. "Give it to me—I'll soon have it off!"
"Come on," whispered Jack to his cousins and Mr. Powell. "They are in there and trying to open the treasure box!"
It took the party but a few seconds to reach the door of the cabin. Jack pushed upon it, to find the barrier locked in some manner from the inside.