“It won’t be any good now, after all that interval,” declared the pessimistic Tom.
In spite of Tom’s prophecy the boys went heartily to work to clear away the débris so they could get at the particular stone behind which Jeems had hidden the document.
“What shape was it?” inquired Jim.
“Something like this,” replied Jeems, kicking a stone near his foot.
“Maybe that’s it,” said Tom.
“No, it isn’t. That stone was some narrower than this.” After a half hour’s industrious work they finally uncovered it, and very carefully lifted it out of its place. They leaned eagerly forward while Jim swept his hand around trying to locate it.
“Hold a light so,” he ordered.
“Aye, aye, sir,” replied Jo. Then under the quick flare of a match, Jim eagerly gripped a piece of yellowed cardboard.
“This is her picture, boys!” he cried, with much sentiment.
“Let’s see the other side,” said Tom.