As the beaters separated, and widened the circle of their search, the sounds of calls, shouts, voices identifying one another grew fainter.
Sandy, reaching his comrades, compared notes.
“They’ve organized and started,” Sandy reported. “What have you two found?”
“Nothing,” Dick said dejectedly. “We ought not to have left that thing unguarded.”
“Not with a fortune in it,” agreed Larry. “But we were so sure——”
“Whoever got it can’t be far off,” interrupted Dick. “No one but Miss Serena and Captain Parks—and we three—knew about the hiding place until the last part of the meeting.”
“Let’s lock up, here, and join Jeff,” suggested Sandy.
“Where is he?”
“In the grove, Dick.”
“All right,” Larry moved to the small door. “The spring lock’s set. The place is surrounded. Nobody’s in here—” They were outside as he made the last statement. “Slam the door and try it, Dick. All right. Come on, let’s find Jeff.”