"You bet I did!"
"Won't you introduce me to your friends, so I may apologize to them for my peculiar actions?"
"Oh, they're only girls," answered Tom airily. "What are you doing here?"
"I am Robert Stevens, young ladies. I live near by. The Presbys are friends of mine."
The girls were beginning to feel more at ease. He was not a desperate character, after all. Their adventure had ended in nothing more than meeting a friendly neighbor. Ruth stepped forward at this juncture.
"I am on a treasure hunt," said Stevens, smiling sheepishly.
The girls were on the alert on the instant.
"Treasure hunting!" exclaimed Barbara. "Where are your pick and shovel?"
"Oh, I haven't gotten that far yet," laughed Bob.
The girls decided that they liked Mr. Bob Stevens, and what was more, they were keenly interested in his statement that he was hunting for the lost treasure.