Part 36 (2/2)

”Aw, why rub it in?” said Kit with a shrug, as she followed Bet into the tunnel.

”I never even looked to see where that old chest came from, and I want to see,” Bet let herself down into the hole. ”I can't believe that anyone found the treasure, stole it, then sealed the tunnel up again.

That doesn't spell sense, at all.”

”I think those old Spaniards showed very little sense anyway,” remarked Kit. ”Why didn't they hide their treasure in some easier place?”

Bet laughed. But at that moment her foot sc.r.a.ped against something hard. There was a metallic ring. Stooping she dug away the dirt and crumbled rock with her hands.

”Kit!” she gasped. ”It's the treasure! Call the professor! Hurry!”

Bet's voice rang out.

There was no need to call the professor. Forgetting his weariness and headache, he leaped from the cot at Bet's cry, and ran to the tunnel.

Bet appeared, carrying a small metal box, held tightly in her arms.

”Call the girls!” she said, and disappeared into the shelter of the professor's tent.

When the box was pried open, the girls had all the thrill they had ever planned. Old coins, nuggets and jewels were scrambled together in the casket. Enid's fingers closed about a long gold chain, tarnished and stained with the years.

”That's what I've dreamed about!” she said with a gasp. ”Isn't it wonderful!”

A loud ”Hullo” came to them from the hill above. Bet shut the box with a snap and placing it on the cot, sat down upon it.

”Anyone who gets this box, has to take me along!” she said in a tense voice. ”No one shall have it! No one!”

A moment later there was a scramble from the trail and Bob, Phil and Paul rushed into the tent. They started back as they saw the frightened faces of the girls.

Then Bet laughed.

”We thought it was robbers! After the treasure!” she exclaimed, jumping to her feet and displaying the precious box.

”Three cheers for The Merriweather Girls!” shouted Bob.

The professor was delighted. He had forgotten his sickness. ”It shows how one should keep at a thing long after it seems useless,” he told the girls. ”Why, I may even find my Indian village, yet.”

”Of course you will. This is just the beginning of our good luck!”

cried Bet excitedly.

”And we'll all help you hunt for your village,” promised Phil Gordon.

”That will be the next adventure!”

”What about your claims?” asked Tommy. ”Aren't you going to work them?” He cast a longing look over the flat-topped summit.

”Dad says we'd be foolish to go on with them!” replied Enid. ”If we were going to be out here to look after the work it would be different.”

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