"Why, boys," he said, as the match died out, "there is nothing to be alarmed at. The skull is placed there as some sort of a pointer, or indicator, as I take it. That hand shows the direction in which the treasure lies, and the five scratches mean either five feet, or five yards, in this direction."
This simple explanation nerved the boys wonderfully, and they carefully paced off five feet.
"Another match, Walter," ordered the professor.
"The last but one," said the boy, as he struck it.
Hastily they gazed about them, but not a sign could they perceive of any break in the wall or floor, which might serve as a hiding-place for the treasure indicated in the miner's invisible writing.
"Shall we try at five yards?" asked Ralph.
"We will put it to a popular vote," rejoined the professor. "It will mean burning up our last match, but on the other hand——"
"I'm willing to use it—how about you, Walt?" came from Ralph.
"Sure," responded the ranch boy.