"Break it open with a stone. Never mind a key."
Hazel ran out into the water until she was up to her neck, then she swam out. Reaching the floating trunk, she got behind it and began pushing it shoreward. Margery and Tommy stood watching the proceedings in speechless horror. Hazel got the trunk ashore, when, following the guardian's directions, she broke the lock open with a stone.
"It's open," she cried.
"Are the things inside very wet?"
"No; they are just as dry as they can be."
"Good. Are Harriet's clothes there?"
"I think so. Shall I take them out?"
"Not just yet. I will tell you if they are needed."
Hazel understood what was in the mind of the guardian. Were Harriet Burrell not to recover, the dry clothing would not be needed. Nevertheless, Hazel piled the contents of the trunk on the ground, then replaced it, leaving Harriet's belongings at the top of the pile, so that they would be ready at hand in case of need. In the meantime Crazy Jane and Miss Elting persisted in their efforts to resuscitate the unconscious girl. Though no sign of returning life rewarded their labor, they continued without a second's halting. Half an hour had passed. That was lengthened to an hour, then suddenly Jane stopped, leaned over and peered into the pale face of Harriet.
"I see a little color returning!" she cried in a shrill voice. "Hurrah! Harriet's alive!"