"I may as well be frank with you," he said, flushing. "Ever since I was Tommy's age I have hoped to find some day the fabled pot of gold, or whatever the treasure may be. My grandfather before he died gave me maps and diagrams that he had made. He was as mad on the subject of the buried treasure as the rest of us," explained Stevens. "It was his idea that it would be found not far from the lake. He thought the Presbys had naturally planned to return by water for the treasure in case they had to flee from the fort. I have worked the ground near the lake thoroughly. Now I am trying this strip of woods, working out from these Indian mounds."
"Is the trail hot or cold?" questioned Bab.
"Very cold. Almost colder than the atmosphere to-day. Still, I have hopes."
"If you were to find the treasure what would you do with it?" demanded Ruth severely.
"Do with it? Why, I should turn it over to its rightful owner," answered Stevens. "It's the sport of the search that interests me. You did not think I would keep what doesn't belong to me, did you?"
The girls murmured their apologies.
"Please tell Mr. Presby that you found me here. Perhaps I had better go back with you. May I?"
"Come along, Bob. Father will be glad to see you," said Tom, answering for them. The girls offered no objections, so the young man accompanied them, walking beside Tommy and General.
"You young ladies might be interested in looking over those old maps and diagrams," suggested their new acquaintance.
"Indeed we would," agreed Barbara enthusiastically.