"That does not concern you," was the reply.
"If you lost it in Captain Godwin's station," Ned said, with a smile, "I presume I have it."
He held up the key he had found on the river bank, among the bushes, on the morning following the abduction of Lieutenant Rowe, and the other lunged for it.
"Never mind!" Ned laughed, dodging away, "I don't care to part with the key just now. After the investigation of the box is over you may have it."
"Unlock the box," ordered the Captain.
Ned stepped forward with his key, but was brought to a stop by a beating on the door of the rear cabin.
"I forgot," the boy said, "and the man in there doubtless desires his liberty. If some of you will unlock the door you will find the man the government sent away in charge of this expedition."
"What do you mean?" asked the Captain, while Carstens sank back in his chair with a groan.
"I think," Ned replied, "that you will find the real Lieutenant Carstens on the other side of that door."