Brandon, thus urged, rose and approached the companionway.
“Third panel, on port side,” he repeated. “That was Caleb’s direction, if I remember rightly. Now let’s see.”
He pressed on the designated panel, first one way and then another. It seemed a trifle loose, but otherwise refused to move.
“Maybe I’ve made a mistake,” he muttered, when suddenly, on his pressing downward on the edge of the wood, a section of the panel dropped out leaving a shallow, metal lined cavity displayed to view.
“Bring the lamp, Milly,” he cried eagerly.
The girl obeyed and held the light so that it might illuminate the interior of the secret closet. There was something in the compartment!
Brandon hastily thrust in his hand and drew forth a flat, heavy package, sealed in oiled silk and bound with a cord. Hurrying to the cabin table with his prize he tore off the cord, broke the seals, and unwound the outer wrappings.
Milly, quite as excited as himself, held the lamp closer, watching his movements anxiously.
Beneath the outer covering was a flat pouch of chamois skin, the flap sealed at one end. This seal the youth broke without hesitation, and in another instant had poured a glittering shower of gems upon the polished surface of the cabin table.
“Diamonds! diamonds! thousands of dollars’ worth!” cried Milly delightedly, running her fingers through the little heap of glittering stones and letting them fall in a flashing shower from her hands.