Will.

"When are you going to Boston?" asked his sister. "First I heard about
that."

"I'm going up in the morning," her brother answered. "I received word to
report at the office. There's something that needs my attention. Ahem!
Uncle Sam can't get along without me, it seems."

"Nothing like patting yourself on the back," Grace said.

"Just for that you sha'n't have any of--these!" and Will drew from his
pocket a box that unmistakably held candy.

"Oh, Will. I didn't mean it!" Grace cried. "Of course you're of value to
the government. What are they--those new bitter-sweets?"

"That's for you to ask, and Amy to know," said Will, as he passed Amy
the confections.

"Oh, thank you!" she said, blushing furiously.

"Amy Blackford. What I know about you!" mocked Mollie.

"Oh, I'm going to share them, of course."

"Oh, of course!" chanted Grace. "How nice."

"Well, it will keep her still for a while, at least," sighed Will.

"Whom do you mean?" demanded Mollie, catching him by the ear.

"Ouch! Let go! I meant my sister--of course. A fellow wouldn't dare talk
that way about anyone but his sister," confessed Will.

Merrily they discussed the finding of the diamonds, and what disposition
might be made of them. The strange actions of the men in the boat, too,
came in for a share of attention. The girls were quite sure the men had
hidden the box in the sand, though whether or not they knew of the
valuable contents was a question.

"Well, they'll look in vain for it now," declared Betty. "We have it,"
and she glanced at the now empty receptacle.

"Better put it away," suggested her father. "If the servants see it they
may ask awkward questions."

"I'll keep it in my room," said Betty.

"And I'll have another go at this cipher to-morrow," Allen said. "I
have a new idea for solving it."

"I thought you were going to take us girls out in the boat to-morrow,"
objected Mollie.

"So I am. But I can be working on this between times."

"Sorry I can't be with you," Will said.

"Then you are really going to run up to Boston?" asked Mr. Nelson.

"Yes, sir, I have to go, if I want to keep this new position."

"Well, I'd advise you to do so, then. Go up with me on the express in
the morning."

"Thank you, I will."

"And if you hear anything about the diamonds, don't wait to come back
and tell us, write--no, telegraph!" urged Betty.

"It wouldn't be wise to wire," her father objected. "There is no great
rush. I