When the party returned to the cabin, daylight was just showing in the east and the noisy revel of those at the campfire had ceased.
“I tell you what it is,” Captain Joe exclaimed, “those fellows have given up chasing us for the reason that they have arrived at the conclusion that we don’t know any more about the lost channel than they do. At first, they doubtless thought the map might direct us to it, but now they have given up that idea, and are satisfied to let us hunt for the lost charter if we want to.”
“Yes, but they are still watching us, all the same,” Clay replied, “expecting to take the proceeds of the discovery away from us if we are lucky enough to find what both parties are seeking for.”
This explanation of Captain Joe’s seemed to be the correct one, for the boys were not molested while on their way to the Rambler with the steel box. Having secured the box, the question now was how to get it open, so nearly all that day, they searched among the papers in the cabin of the Cartier for some clue to the mystery. Before night it was found in a bundle of old papers stowed away in a secret draw at the bottom of the owner’s secretary, where it had lain for a long time.
“This is easy,” Clay said holding the paper up between his thumb and fingers. “The box is only an old French puzzle box. Press on the upper right hand front corner and a button will show. Press the button and the box will open, and there you are.”
“What the dickens do you think the Fontenelles left this paper laying around in a place like this for?” asked Case. “Do you suppose they knew what it was?”
“Of course they knew,” Clay answered, “and the paper was brought along so that the box might be opened as soon as found.”
Although the hinges and lock of the steel box were rusted, it was opened with little difficulty and there were the family jewels and the lost charter! In spite of difficulties, the boys had succeeded in their quest. The search of more than three hundred years was ended!
When the Rambler and the Cartier started away toward Quebec, they left the men who had opposed them still on the peninsula. Reaching the city, they lost no time in communicating the result of their expedition to the Fontenelles. It is needless to say that the latter were overjoyed at the recovery of the charter and the jewels.
At the close of the interview between the elder Fontenelle and Clay, the former wrote a check for ten thousand dollars and passed it over to the boy. Clay smiled as he passed it back.