“Here!” he shouted, holding it up. “A book! Must be very valuable or Dewberry wouldn’t keep it in here.”
He passed it on to Corporal Rand, then turned again and, with Dick’s assistance, began replacing the trays. The contents of these were, to the boys, of far more importance and interest than anything else confined within that ancient, mysterious receptacle. Again they fell to examining the treasure.
They were so absorbed in this delightful pastime, that they were wholly unaware of what was taking place in the room behind them. The two policemen had drawn up chairs and were sitting opposite each other, their faces alight. Wyatt, who leaned forward eagerly, was listening to Rand. Rand flipped the pages and read out of the book:
“November 20, 1908.—This is my second trip out to Edmonton this year. Today I met Professor B—, of the University of Alberta, who promised to secure for me a first edition of Thackeray’s Vanity Fair. Will send to Vincent’s at Montreal. Ought to have it here next time I come down. Professor B— is generous and kindly. Knowing of my interest in antiques, he sent me, with a letter of introduction to a Mr. Lipton, a private collector, who occupies a suite of rooms at the King Edward. I enjoyed this visit and induced Mr. Lipton to part with a very valuable cameo.”
“Interesting,” remarked Wyatt. “Go on!”
Corporal Rand flipped several pages and resumed:
“May 6, 1909.—Spent the better part of this week around the head-waters of the Finley. Gruelling work, but I love it. The mosquitos are savage, persistent little brutes, and only the fine mesh of my new net, with the addition of a pair of gloves, saves me from being sucked dry. I’ll need what blood and energy I have to complete my work here. Have been looking for the famous Crystal Lode, which old Dave Crystal found somewhere near here in 1890 and subsequently sold, ‘unsight, unseen,’ to Ben and Gordan Wilson, who have never been heard from since.”
A slight pause while Rand cleared his throat and turned more of the pages.
“December 2, 1911.—I’m happy tonight. This afternoon Lipton agreed to sell me that wonderful Chinese chest. I paid him two thousand dollars for it without once blinking an eye. At that, I’m lucky to get it. Lipton wouldn’t have parted with it for twice that sum eight months ago. I’m afraid he’s been buying so much real estate that he’s short of cash. Whatever his motive, I’m exceedingly grateful to him.”
Wyatt slid forward in his chair.