“Diamonds—” Cap’n Davies stared at her, his mouth open.
“Why, yes, they’re on this boat. They must be! We were in the forward cabin watching and Jed Starrow came on board and they talked right where we could hear. They were going to take them off and then they decided it wasn’t safe and they’d wait and they went away. And then they must have cut the boat adrift. But we’re sure they’re on this boat.”
“So that was it! Of all the low-down dastardly tricks! Well, never mind your diamonds, now. We got to get back to shore and let a few folks know—”
“But I won’t go until we’ve looked!” Sidney protested, almost in tears. “Why, that was why we risked everything! And Lav wants to save the name of the Cape—the—the way—you do! Oh, please look!”
The old Captain dropped his hold of the girl’s arm. “Well, I’ll be ding-blasted!” he stormed. But he motioned to Saunders. “Climb aboard and give us a hand. ’Taint likely they’d hide their stuff above deck. You look round the stern and the girls and me’ll give a hunt forward. Of all the stubborn, crazy-headed female pieces you’ll beat ’em all!”
While Saunders searched the stern of the schooner the Captain and Sidney and Mart searched the fo’castle cabin. Sidney, tugging away the heavy tarpaulins, disclosed a small wooden box.
“I’m sure it wasn’t there before—” she cried. “Why—why, I was sitting on it—”
Cap’n Davies lifted the box. “It’s pretty big to be diamonds but it looks suspicious like! And you’re sure it wasn’t there before? That it ain’t the property of that summer boarder of Miss Green’s?”
Sidney’s face was flaming with excitement. “Oh, I’m sure! The other stuff was there but there wasn’t any box under it. If I hadn’t been so excited listening I’d have realized I was sitting on something different. Can’t we look inside?”
“We won’t take the time to look at anything now, mate. We’ll get ashore. I reckon by this time there are folks strainin’ their eyes for a sight o’ you—”