He reached down and took them
in his hand. They were tied with an old piece of tarred twine, and were
much blackened and soiled. Drawing forth the first and holding it close to
the lantern, Stephen read the brief words recorded there. It took him but
a minute to do this, and then followed an exclamation which gave Tony a
distinct start.
"What is it, Steve?" he asked. "What hev ye found?"
"Read this, and judge for yourself," Stephen replied, thrusting the paper
into his companion's hands.
As Tony spelled out the words his eyes bulged with astonishment.
"Oh, Steve!" he gasped, "I'm so glad it isn't the parson. But do ye think
this is all right?"
"It. looks like it. See the date, November 10th of last year. And notice,
too, these words 'for safe keeping' and 'until called for.' Why, it's as
plain as day. Then, here's the amount, 'five thousand dollars, all in
gold, to be left in the iron box marked with a cross in white paint.'"
"Say, Tony," Stephen asked, "did Billy have such a box, another one like
this?"
"Why, yes, I do remember one very well. It was smaller than this; 'twas
stouter an' had a lock an' key.
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