“I found it put right to one side of the door sill,” he explained. “How we missed finding it last night I don’t know.”
“What can it mean?” chorused the other boys peering eagerly at the strange object.
“Looks as if some mischievous kid had put it there,” suggested Billy Barnes.
“I don’t think there are likely to be any ’mischievous kids,’ as you call them, about here, Billy,” said Frank with a smile.
“Well, I give it up,” said Harry; “I never was much good at reading riddles.”
“Just let me look at it a moment, shipmate,” put in Ben Stubbs quietly. “I kinder think I have an inkling of what it means.”
He took the bottle and examined it carefully. Then he nodded his head sagely.
“It’s some kind ’er voodoo for certain shu,” exclaimed Pork Chops. “I wouldn’t touch dat lilly bottle fo’ all de money in dis yer worl’.”
“What did you say it was, Pork Chops, you inky pirate?” asked Ben, turning on him.
“Lan’ sakes, don’ snap me up dat er way, Marse Stubbs,” gasped the old negro, “I only said I wouldn’ touch dat bottle. It’s voodoo fo’ shu’.”