“I thoroughly agree with you. It doesn’t look at all interesting.” Jo Ann turned the box from side to side. “It’s unusually heavy, though, for such a small box.” She shook it vigorously. “Listen! There’s something inside that makes a little rattling noise.”
“It can’t be anything much—not in that small box,” commented Peggy.
“I wish we could open it,” said Jo Ann, studying the box while Florence held the light. “It must have a secret spring—there’s no sign of a keyhole.”
“A secret spring!” Peggy’s interest was instantly aroused. “Let me see it, will you?”
When Peggy reached out to take the box, its weight took her by surprise, and she let it slip out of her hands and fall crashing to the floor.
Dropping down on their knees, Jo Ann and Peggy reached for the box at the same time.
“O—oh!” gasped Jo Ann, her voice quivering with excitement.
“O—oh!” echoed Peggy.
“What is it?” Florence asked quickly as she leaned over their shoulders.
Spellbound the three girls gazed before them. The insignificant black box lay on its side, wide open, part of its contents spilled out on the floor. There was the gleam of old gold and the brilliant sparkle and flash of fire. All the colors of the rainbow seemed reflected in that circle of light.