“First,” Clay answered, gathering up the stones and looking cautiously about, “I’m going to get them out of sight! Did you hear that motion at the door while they lay here sparkling with a “come-and-get-me” expression?”
“I heard nothing,” Case replied, as Clay put the gems back in the bag. “Where are you going to hide them now? You know this isn’t a very safe treasure house—this old boat.”
“I think I have good reason to know that,” replied Clay, looking ruefully at the box which had held the stolen money. “Guess I’ll put them in the coffee-pot, for the time being. Anybody want any more?”
Both boys declared they did, naturally! So the coffee was poured and consumed. Then the pot was emptied and the brown leather bag was deposited therein.
“What was it you said about someone being at the door while the stones were on the table?” asked Alex.
“Did you see anyone there?” added Case.
For answer Clay nodded his head toward the single pane in the cabin door, which might have been a panel of black velvet, so heavily did the darkness press upon it.
“What did you see there?” he asked.
“Nothing at all.”
Clay moved toward the door and listened between short steps as he walked.