Читать книгу The Secret Chart; or, Treasure Hunting in Hayti онлайн

3 страница из 64

That the old chest would be needed was learned very soon, and Gil said, with a sigh:

“There’s no question but that something must be left. We’ll pack the most important, and then decide as to the rest. Come on, it won’t take long to overhaul what is in the attic.”

The only idea in the minds of the boys was to secure that which would serve as a receptacle for their goods until the same could be carried to the schooner, and, on finding the well-worn chest, it was only natural to first make sure that it was empty.

The rusted lock was fastened, and, eager to complete the work as soon as possible, Gil knocked the hasp off by kicking at it, after which the lid was thrown open.

At first glance one would have said that it contained nothing, but on turning it upside down several articles rolled out.

Idle curiosity, rather than a belief that anything important would be found, caused the boys to pick up the contents, and Nelse cried, as he went toward the window:

“Say, Gil, here’s a piece of an old newspaper, containing what appears to be an old story. Where did the chest come from?”