“We have decided that we need your help,” he said, “we have talked it over together and we want you to know all about Cliff’s mystery and advise us—but we can’t break our oath.”
“Oh! That clears it all up. Very well. I am willing to help Cliff, that is certain. If I have to promise things and join your order, I am willing. But can we not dispense with all but the promises just now and discover what is in that letter?”
“Let’s!” urged Cliff, “I want to see what it is.”
“Well——‘On the Sacred Emblem’——” Mr. Whitley, who had a good memory, repeated the oath solemnly, his hand on a curiously cut Egyptian scarab, the sacred beetle of the ancient Egyptian mysteries which Cliff produced from among his father’s collection in a cabinet.
“Now,” he added, “let’s see the letter, Cliff.”
CHAPTER III
GOLD, AND A LIFE AT STAKE
Cliff was quite as anxious as the others to see what the envelope from Peru contained; he slit it and drew out two folded papers.
While the others watched eagerly he glanced hastily at one paper and crammed it into his pocket as he opened the second.
“It is!” he cried, “It is from my father!”
They crowded closer and urged him to read it aloud. The letter, after the address, fortunately placed there so that the destination was known even when its outer cover was spoiled in the river, was amazing.