"Whatever it is," remarked Brian, "I expect uncle put it inside before he locked the box again."
"But mother said he didn't," persisted Guy. "I do believe the old thing is bewitched. First, after it's been locked and sealed up for twenty years, and was supposed to contain all kinds of precious things, it was found to have nothing at all in it but a cork (which doesn't count); and now, when every one declares it was put away empty, there's something inside."
No further discovery was likely to be made by simply lingering about staring at the outside of the chest, so, having recovered the air-pistol dart with the aid of a pair of steps, the trio dispersed, and went their several ways.
Brian strolled off down the garden, but had not gone far when he heard some one running after him, and turning round saw Elsie.
"O Bri!" she cried, "is it true that there's something in Uncle Roger's box?"
"It seems so," was the answer.
"Well, how can it have got there?" cried the child, her eyes growing rounder with excitement. "Isn't it wonderful? D'you think it's anything valuable?"
"I think we'd better not make any more guesses about that box until we see it opened," answered the boy, laughing; "though if you like to come and listen I'll turn the chest over. You'll then hear the hidden treasure moving inside, and can decide whether it sounds like a bundle of bank-notes, silver-plate, or bags of money."
If he had proposed a visit to the dentist, Elsie could not have shown greater reluctance to accept the invitation.
"I shan't go near that old tool-house again," she said slowly.