The chums finally came to Market Street and turned toward the hotel, walking along silently.
The naturalists looked up quickly as the boys entered. They regarded the latter quizzically.
“We’re anxious to know just what that Chinaman wanted of you,” said Mr. Lewis with a smile. “Sit down and tell us.”
Bob removed the good luck ring from his finger. He passed it to Mr. Lewis.
“He just wanted to reward us for getting him out of that wrecked automobile,” Bob explained. “Gave us rings. And, say, there’s some secret connected with them. He wouldn’t tell us, and we haven’t been able to find out.”
“Hmm.” Joe’s father examined the ring eagerly while Mr. Holton looked over Joe’s.
“No secret openings in them, are there?” inquired Bob.
“Apparently not,” his father returned. “Each has a lot of Chinese letters and figures on it, though. Perhaps if you knew what they mean you could solve the mystery.”
Joe yawned and stretched.
“Whatever it is, I’m not going to stay up any longer to find out, even if I could,” he said.