Part 37 (1/2)

”Look!” cried Dave, suddenly, and pointed to a small, black leather case, that rested on some of the wreckage.

”What is it?” queried Phil and Roger, in a breath.

Dave did not reply, for he was crawling over the wreckage with care.

Soon he reached the spot where the black leather case rested, caught on a nail, and he picked it up. The clasp was undone and the case fell open, revealing the interior, which was lined with white plush.

”Empty!” murmured Dave, sadly. ”Empty!” There was a groan in his voice as he uttered the word.

”What is it, Dave?” asked the senator's son, although he and Phil guessed the truth.

”It's the Carwith jewel-case,” was the answer. ”The very case that Mr.

Carwith left with Mr. Wadsworth!”

”Are you certain?” demanded Phil.

”Yes, for here is the name, 'Ridgewood Osgood Carwith,' stamped in gold on the top.”

”And empty,” murmured the captain. ”This looks bad,” and he shook his head, thoughtfully.

”Maybe Jasniff and Merwell took the jewels from the case,” suggested Roger, hopefully.

”It is possible, Roger. But-but-I am afraid the jewels are at the bottom of the ocean,” answered Dave, and his face showed how downcast he felt.

”They might have taken the jewels and divided them between themselves,” said Phil. ”Maybe they put them in money-belts, or something like that. They might think that the sailors would rob them, if they saw the case.”

”It's possible, Phil, and I hope you are right,” answered our hero.

But in his heart he was still afraid that the gems had gone to the bottom of the Atlantic.

”I think we had better climb to the top of yonder rise and take a look around the island,” said the captain. ”For all we know, the _Golden Eagle_ may be on the other side. I sincerely hope she has weathered the storm.”

Placing the jewel-case in a safe place between the rocks, the party commenced to climb the rise of ground the captain had pointed out.

This was no easy task, since the rocks were rough and there were many openings, leading to the caves below.

”We don't want another tumble,” remarked Roger to Dave.

”Hardly, Roger; once was enough.”

The sun had come out strongly, consequently the water was drying away rapidly. It was very warm, and the boys were glad that they had donned thin clothing on leaving the s.h.i.+p.

At last they reached the top of the rise and from that elevation were able to see all but the southern end of Cave Island, which was hidden by a growth of palms.

Not a s.h.i.+p of any kind was in sight, much to the captain's disappointment.

”Must have had to sail away a good many miles,” said Dave.

”Either that, lad, or else the storm caused more or less trouble.”

From the elevation, all took a good look at every part of the island that could be seen. They saw several other rocky elevations and the entrances to caves innumerable.