would," said Sawyer, "but it is not an easy job all the same."

"Bother the thing!" sputtered Billy Manners. "It is nothing but a hiding
place for burglars and thieves. Pity you did not find some more of the
stolen property, Jack."

"It has probably been taken out. They could afford to leave their tools
behind, but they would take everything else."

The boys talked about the place as they made their way back to the
Academy, which they reached shortly before supper, and all agreed that
it was rather too great an undertaking to visit the cave again, all
being tired and glad to rest after their tramp.

"I want to see how my picture turned out, Jack," said Billy Manners
after supper when it was quite dark. "Then I want to get the laugh on
those fellows that said my makeshift was no good. I know it is."

"All right, Billy," laughed Jack. "I can fix you up a dark room in the
cottage. I have developers and all that, though I suppose you have
also."

"Yes, I have everything. Have you a camera, Jack? You never said
anything about it."

"Well, I have not had much occasion to say anything or to use it, but I
have one. Come ahead, get your plate and we will develop it."

On the way to the cottage they met Dick Percival, who was greatly
interested when he heard what they were going to do and said:

"I'd like to see you develop that plate, for, to tell the truth, I don't
have much faith in these photographic freaks. Do you think there will be
anything on the plate, Jack?"

"Yes," said Jack shortly.

"All right, then. If you have faith in it I have nothing to say."

Reaching the room in the cottage, Jack locked the door to keep out all
possible intruders, got out his ruby lamp and developers, and set to
work.

Billy had faith in his pinhole camera, because it was his. Jack was
certain that he would get a picture, because he knew about such things,
and Dick was interested because Jack was, and therefore the three
watched the process of developing with considerable interest.

Jack had running water and all the facilities for doing good work, and
it was also apparent that he had done a good deal of it.

"By Jove! you are a wonder, Jack," laughed Percival. "I am all the time
finding out new things that you can do. If we were not with you so much
we would not know how much you can do. You never tell about it."

"What is the use?" said Jack quietly. "If I can accomplish anything it
is bound to be found out some time."