"I fail to see what's to hinder you from knowing," retorted Reade.
"I see that you have the tools for opening the case at hand.
What were you waiting for—-my strong arm on the hammer? If
so——-"
While speaking Tom had been glancing at the inscription on the card.
"I don't know just whether we ought to open it," Dave declared. "That box may come from Dodge and Bayliss, and we may be sorry that we meddled with it."
"There may be something in that," agreed Reade, laying down hammer and chisel and rising. "But I wish we knew."
"We all wish that," said Greg.
"Well, what are we going to do?" inquired Hazelton. "Are we going to remain afraid of the box and shy away from it?"
"I'm not afraid," replied Darrin, his color rising. "I'm willing to open it if you fellows say so."
"Then what has kept you back so far?" Tom wanted to know.
"If it's a job put up by Dodge and Bayliss, then I don't just like to be caught napping by them," Dave replied. "However, you fellows all get back a few rods—-and here goes for little David to solve the box mystery."
"Not!" advised Reade with emphasis. "I suppose we'll have to do something with this box, sometime, but I, for one, am in favor of considering the matter for a little while before we go any further. Dave, you are a foxy one, but I'm glad you are. It may save us all trouble."