“They would need to be very lucky to do that,” remarked Mrs. Keller, with a sad smile.
“I know just how you feel,” said Mrs. Martin to Mrs. Keller. “Once I lost my wedding ring, and I thought I would never find it again. But I did. It had rolled down a little hole in the corner of my room. Trouble poked it out with one of his drum sticks when he was playing. He didn’t know what it was, but called me to come and see the shiny band he had found. Oh, I was so happy to get it back!”
“And I would be happy to get back my wedding ring,” murmured Mrs. Keller. “But I feel worse now over my husband’s lost keys. You don’t know what it may mean! He may even be discharged by Mr. Narr if it is found out.”
“You don’t mean it!” gasped Mrs. Martin.
“Yes,” was the answer. “You have no idea what a hard-hearted man Mr. Narr is. If he once found out——”
The Curlytops could not hear all that Mrs. Keller said, but they had the idea that Mr. Narr was very cruel.
“You had better go up and talk to my husband, Mr. Keller,” said Mrs. Martin. “He is on the porch and he can tell you where best to hire the men to sift the sand and find the lost things. He has been here at Sunset Beach before, and knows many persons.”
“Thank you, I’ll do that,” said Mr. Keller.
Mr. Martin came down to the shore to help look for the ring and the keys, but it was of no use. Then he and Mr. Keller went on to the village to hire some men for the work.
A little later several Italians, with shovels and sieves, were turning over the sand in the circle of sticks and stones made by Ted. Each shovelful and each sieveful was carefully examined by the men.