The four chums went up to the Jefferson home together. They found Mr. Jefferson in the library, reading. He greeted them kindly.
“Well, boys,” he said, “what brings you back from Cabin Island so soon? Haven’t you been enjoying yourselves!”
“We’ve had a fine time, sir,” said Frank, who acted as spokesman. “We came back because we found something there that might interest you.”
“Something that might interest me?” asked Mr. Jefferson, puzzled. “I can’t imagine what on earth it can be. Sit down and tell me all about it.”
Frank produced the rosewood box.
“Do you recognize this, sir?”
Elroy Jefferson gazed at the box incredulously.
“My stamps!” he exclaimed. “My precious stamp collection!”
With trembling hands, he seized the box and opened it. When he saw that the stamps were undamaged, and exactly as he had last seen them, his joy knew no bounds.
“Tell me!” he demanded, in excitement. “Tell me where you found them? On the island?”