Bab put her arms about Ruth and whispered:
"It will be all right now, Ruth. Oh, I'm so glad!" while the other girls laughed and shouted in their excitement.
It was the work of another half hour before the four men got a rope around the heavy box and, by the aid of the automobile, drew it out of the deep hole, after which, with great labor, it was got into the car.
Once at the house, it was left to Mrs. Presby, as the representative of the family, to say what should be done with the chest.
"Open it," was the command.
This was not easily done, but when the work was finally accomplished, what a sight met their eyes!
There was at least a bushel of gold coins. There was valuable family plate. In a sealed receptacle they found a quantity of jewels and a bundle of papers. The papers Mrs. Presby put away until her husband should have an opportunity to go over them.
"There's a fortune here. I think Treasureholme need not be lost now," said Stevens.
"It comes too late," said Mrs. Presby bitterly. "Mr. Presby telephoned me after the close of the market that to-morrow would end all, as he and Robert could not meet their obligations when it opened in the morning."
"To-morrow morning!" exclaimed Bab. "Then we must get this treasure to them to-night! We must do it some way!"