As their eyes penetrated the dimness, three of the children gave a yell in unison.
“There’s something over in that corner!”
The something proved to be a market basket covered with an old gunny-sack.
Ernest insisted on going after it. Satisfied that the cave contained nothing else they rushed their trophy out to the light and examined its contents. It yielded a regular pirate treasure.
“What under the sun?” Alice opened eyes and mouth in blank amazement. “Children, sure as you’re born, we’ve found that stolen silver!”
The basket was speedily emptied. One silver sugar bowl, four dozen spoons, two silver goblets, a watch and some small pieces of jewelry were revealed, besides a package of official looking papers.
“There’s Mrs. Jones’ pin. I remember they advertised one big pearl set round with ten little ones. But what do you suppose these papers are?” Carol and Alice were busy untying them.
“Well, ’pon my soul!—do you suppose we are bewitched?—they’ve got my father’s name on them. Pinch me and see if I’m dreaming.” Alice looked at the papers in a daze, Ernest and Carol staring over her shoulder.
“They’re some sort of legal papers ’cause they’ve got those big red seals on them.”
“It is your father’s name—Donald Fletcher. We’ll take them home to Father—he’ll know what they are,” said Ernest.