Gladys ran indoors for a hammer and chisel, and, the hinges of the box being worn with age and exposure, it was but the work of a few seconds to break it open. It was full of gold and silver coins and jewellery; there were only a few gold pieces, the greater number of the coins were silver--the bulk Georgian--and their dates ranged from 1697 to 1750. The jewellery consisted of several massive gold bracelets, (two or three of very fine workmanship); some dozen or so plain gold rings; two silver watches, and a varied assortment of silver trinkets. All were more or less antique, but none--apart from the gold bracelets--of any great value.
"Well!" John Martin exclaimed, as they concluded their examination of the articles, "what do you make of it?"
"Why that man put them there, of course," Gladys said, "can't you see the whole thing is nothing but a dodge to intimidate you into forming a friendship with him. I daresay he has heard that Mr. Davenport is dead, and thinks he sees an opportunity to be taken into partnership. He had a horrid face--sly and cunning, and his way of looking at me was positively disgusting. It makes me feel sick and horrid even to think of it."
"What shall we do with these things?" John Martin asked, picking up one of the watches and eyeing it with curiosity.
"I certainly consider we've a right to keep them," her father said, "since we've found them ourselves on our own property, but I suppose, legally, they are treasure trove and ought to be given up."
"Then surely the Government would pay us something for them, wouldn't it?"
"I should think so, at least a decent Government would. Anyhow, I think to give them up will be our best course. I doubt if the whole lot is worth fifty pounds. Where was it he said there was water?"
"Good gracious!" Gladys exclaimed, "you don't mean to say you are going to bother about that now!"
"It was here, I think," John Martin went on, thrusting his stick in the ground, "to the best of my knowledge--and I had experts' advice--there is no water any where near here. Had there been, I should not have gone to the expense of having pipes laid down to feed the pond."
"Oh, Father, how can you be so silly," Gladys cried, "of course there isn't any water here. It's only a trick, a trick to frighten you--and I'm beginning to think it has succeeded."