The edges of the stone fitted so closely to the live-rock surrounding it, however, that his hope of finding a crack, in which they could put a lever and pry up the rock, was blasted. There seemed to be no way of solving the puzzling problem. All the treasures of Golconda might have been concealed under the mighty rock and the boys would have no more chance of getting at them than if they had been securely locked in the center of the earth.
It was not Frank’s nature to give anything up without a struggle to solve it, however, and he suggested one more try.
“Maybe it is balanced in some way,” he suggested.
“A good idea,” commented Harry. “What’s the matter with our all getting on one side of it and jumping together when one of us says, ‘Go.’”
“We might try it,” said Frank dubiously, “but I’m skeptical that we will obtain any results.”
“We’ll get a lot of exercise anyhow,” chimed in Billy.
“As if we hadn’t had enough to-day,” indignantly cried Harry.
Laughing—despite their anxiety—at the ridiculous sight they must present the three boys placed their arms on each other’s shoulders and solemnly pranced up and down on the rock first at one end and then at the other. Then they tried jumping on its sides. The great boulder didn’t even quiver. It was as solid under their feet as the face of the cliff itself.
“Looks like we’ll have to give it up,” said Frank at last in a disgusted tone.
“Yes, I don’t see what else we can try,” Harry agreed, “whoever stowed that rock away meant that no one but himself should ever get it up again.”