ghed her father.

"Yours, I think, Dad. You brought me up." She slid an arm around her
father's neck. "And are you very much disappointed in me?"

"Fishing for compliments?" Colonel Baxter pinched her rosy cheek.

"No, I only want a little appreciation," she replied.

At that moment Billy Patten poked his head into the corridor.

"The old man at the tunnel. He says for the girls to come quick."

"Something important has happened!" insisted Kit. "Hurry up, let's go!"

Colonel Baxter hurried to his horse and followed after the girls. His
mind was not, for the moment, on possible treasure, he was overwhelmed
by the magnitude of the hills, their rugged outlines and the blazing
sun that beat down upon them.

When they reached the summit, the girls spurred their horses across the
flat.

What they saw was an excited little old man, waving his arms and
dancing about a huge box.

As the girls approached, he cried.

"Come quickly. It's a brass-bound chest. It's the treasure!"

Tommy Sharpe pried the rusty lock, and as the cover was swung back, the
girls gave a gasp of astonishment and dismay.

The chest was empty!

CHAPTER XIX

_A BRASS BOUND CHEST_

At the sight of the empty chest, Professor Gillette opened his mouth to
speak, but no words came. His face was white and drawn. And the girls
were no less moved than he. All their hopes had been dashed to the
ground.

Tears came to Bet's eyes. Angry tears! Why was it that they always
had so many disappointments? Why couldn't the treasure have reposed in
that chest ready for them? Why couldn't things have gone smoothly just
for once?

"What a silly thing to do! To bury an empty chest!" Bet said in a
protesting voice.

"But that's the trouble. Maybe it wasn't always empty. Maybe it was
once full of gold and jewels," sighed the professor wearily. He had
planned on this treasure more than he realized at first. He thought of
Alicia, his patient daughter, whose hope of recovery depended on his
summer's work.

"Then what happened to it?" demanded Bet.

"Someone has been ahead of us, that's all. There must have been
treasure in that chest," repeated the old man.

"I think you are right," interrupted Colonel Baxter. "But don't be
discouraged! Unless I'm very badly mistaken, that chest will be worth
a small fortune in itself. Look at those brass straps across the
corners. The carving is unusual and beautiful."

"I don't see anythin