“I think Nicky’s right,” Cliff declared. “She must have some reason.”
“Listen,” whispered Nicky, excitedly, “one of you run and bring Mr. Gray or the other man—Mr. Neale. Let’s get to the bottom of this. I’ll give you any odds you like that she is trying to drive us away because something’s hidden in this field—maybe—maybe——”
“Treasure!” gasped Cliff and ran like a deer for the older members of their party. Treasure!
CHAPTER II
ONE HALF OF A CIPHER
That the old crone was very much “worked up” was easily to be seen. Tom and Nicky, watching uneasily, saw her fumble in her old bag and draw out with her bony fingers three queer objects.
These were small figures, made rudely of clay or mud. Tom and Nicky started and stared at them. They were made in the shape of small human figures, with heads a little larger than peas, and with dented places to mark out the arms and legs.
“What do you think those things are?” Tom whispered. “I don’t like this. Remember what Mr. Neale said about this woman?”
“Yes,” Nicky answered softly. “He said Ma’am Sib is a Voodoo woman and that the colored people are afraid of her. But I’m not! I want to see what she is going to do.”
That was quickly seen. She laid the little objects in a row on the doorsill; all of them had their tiny heads pointed out from the shade of the roof, so that the heads were in the sunshine.
She scowled at Nicky and Tom, then muttered under her breath and glanced up toward the sun, then back at the boys.