In half an hour a suit-case was lifted into view and dropped on the
edge of the pit. It was followed by the other, and then by Edgar.
Without asking me to help him, because he probably knew I would
not, he shovelled the sand into the hole, and then placed the
suitcases in the carriage. With increasing anger I observed that
the contents of each were so heavy that to lift it he used both
hands.
"There is no use your asking any questions," he announced, "because
I won't answer them."
I gave him minute directions as to where he could go; but instead
we drove in black silence to the station. There Edgar rewarded
Rupert with a dime, and while we waited for the train to New York
placed the two suit-cases against the wall of the ticket office and
sat upon them. When the train arrived he warned me in a hoarse
whisper that I had promised to help him guard the treasure, and
gave me one of the suit- cases. It weighed a ton. Just to spite
Edgar, I had a plan to kick it open, so that every one on the
platform might scramble for the contents. But again my infernal New
England conscience restrained me.
Edgar had secured the drawing-room in the parlor-car, and when we
were safely inside and the door bolted my curiosity became stronger
than my pride.
"Edgar," I said, "your ingratitude is contemptible. Your suspicions
are ridiculous; but, under these most unusual conditions, I don't
blame you. But we are quite safe now.
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