"And it isn't a very pleasant suspense, either," declared Betty, as she looked at the black box with the diamonds safe in the secret compartment. "What are we going to do with that?"
"Hide it in a new place," suggested Henry.
That much was decided on, and the treasure was taken up to the attic, though there the danger of fire was ever present.
"Oh, I wish father were home," said Betty, a worried look on her face.
But it would be several days before Mr. Nelson could return, and those days were anxious ones indeed for the outdoor girls. The morning after the scare in the cellar inquiries were made, but no trace of the mysterious men was found.
"I can't stand this much longer!" declared Betty, one night. "I almost wish we'd never found the diamonds."
"You're nervous," said Mollie. "We've been too much in the house. To-morrow we shall try one of our old stunts—a picnic!"
"Good!" cried Grace. "That will be fun!"