“Yes! Yes!” he exclaimed excitedly. “Read on.”
Dick and Sandy turned from their inspection of the treasure.
“What’s that you’ve been reading?” Sandy demanded.
“Is that the book I handed you a few moments ago?”
“Yes,” the answer came from Corporal Rand. “I believe it will prove of invaluable assistance to us in this case.”
The corporal still held the book in his lap, and seemed loath to discontinue its perusal. The excerpts he had read aloud to Wyatt had still further excited his curiosity, a curiosity which was shared by the other policeman. The man from the Peace River Detachment consulted his watch.
“It’s only three o’clock, Rand,” he pointed out. “We still have plenty of time at our disposal. I’d enjoy hearing more from that book. Why not continue, corporal?”
Rand turned the pages at random, his keen blue eyes glancing over the contents. In a clear, musical voice he continued:
“November 12, 1912.—Why is it that my chest from Honan continues to fascinate me? Sitting here at home this evening, my thoughts dwelt upon it. Twice I opened it and removed the trays, one by one, with the rapt interest of a child; removed them and placed them on the floor beside me. How indescribably bare it looks. I’m sure it wasn’t like that during the Ming dynasty.
“November 17, 1912.—Today I finished reading Marco Polo’s wonderful narrative. Very naturally, it turned my thoughts to the chest. I’m obsessed with a whimsical fancy. My chest, I am quite sure, was at one time the depository for the jewels and wealth of the great Ming himself. I visualize all those mysterious compartments overflowing with the treasure from seven seas. This one contained diamonds; this one rubies; this one sapphires and emeralds. In the remaining trays there are quantities of silver and gold. Just to heighten the illusion, I have placed the contents of three pokes in one of the trays. Then I locked it up. I, too, shall have my treasure.”
Corporal Rand ceased reading. Dick and Sandy laughed.
“Queer old duck, wasn’t he?” Dick commented. “Well, I don’t know as I blame him any. It is mysterious.”
Corporal Rand did not reply. He turned a few pages idly, then read again:
“June 2, 1913.—I have found the Crystal Lode. Could scarcely believe my good fortune. Came upon it more by accident than design. Tremendously rich. Here and there, I found evidences of the workings of old Dave Crystal. Will be compelled to keep this a secret. Took out over a thousand dollars yesterday.”