Part 30 (1/2)

”All right,” nodded Dalzell, jumping up. ”Where do you want to put it?”

d.i.c.k pointed to the spot. As the barrel was two thirds full of water it had to be rolled carefully, to avoid upsetting or spilling. It was no easy task for the two boys.

”Hen, you might come and help us a minute,” d.i.c.k proposed.

”Whatcher take me for?” Dutcher grumbled. Whereat Tom Reade glanced grimly up from his book to remark:

”Son, when you're spoken to, say 'yes, sir,' and hustle!”

Something in Tom's look induced Hen to move rather promptly. The three boys succeeded in moving the barrel a couple of feet toward the spot desired.

”Hullo,” muttered d.i.c.k, halting and glancing down at the ground where the barrel had stood since their arrival. ”Look at that stone.”

The stone lay partly imbedded in the dirt flooring of the cabin. It was a flat, nearly round stone, some fifteen inches in diameter.

”That stone looks like a lid, doesn't it?” d.i.c.k asked.

”Cover to a gold mine,” sneered Hen.

d.i.c.k did not answer, but stepped over, bent and began to pry at the edges of the stone. It did not move easily. Dan brought the crowbar and quietly handed it to his chum.

”What have you got?” demanded Tom, glancing up from his book.

”Don't know yet,” d.i.c.k laughed.

By the aid of the crowbar d.i.c.k pried the stone loose from its setting in the ground.

”There's a hole underneath, anyway,” announced d.i.c.k.

”And--Geewhillikins! Fellows, drop everything but your good names, and come here--quick! Hustle!”

CHAPTER XVI

KEEN ON THE TRAIL OF THE PUZZLE

Breathless with excitement, d.i.c.k crouched over the hole in the dirt floor, unwilling to make a move until the other fellows had joined him.

That didn't take long.

Hen Dutcher was one of the first to get a glimpse at what had filled Prescott with so much excitement.

”Gracious! It must be Captain Kidd's treasure!” gasped Hen.

”Guess again,” replied Tom Reade. ”A pirate would be doing a poor business who didn't get a bigger lot of loot than that together.”

”But this is a valuable lot of stuff,” argued Harry Hazelton, as he took a look.

”I wonder who could have buried it here?” demanded Dan.

”I think I know,” nodded d.i.c.k. ”Now, then, stand back a little and I'll take the stuff out.”