Since the treasure was located but three feet below the surface, in
sandy soil, I brought only one shovel, while the boys watched me, one
holding the lantern, and both casting furtive glances around to guard
against eavesdroppers. It would be useless to deny my excitement. My
heart at times throbbed painfully, and more than once I was on the
point of ceasing until I could regain mastery of myself.
"Pop, you must be nearly deep enough," said Frank, in a guarded
undertone.
"I'm pretty near to the place," I replied stopping a minute to draw my
handkerchief across my perspiring forehead.
"I'm afraid there's somebody watching us," added Arthur.
"Where?" I asked in affright, staring around in the gloom.
"I thought I saw a man moving out yonder."
"Well, it's too late for him to interfere now," I said, compressing my
lips and renewing my digging more determinedly than ever; "I carry a
revolver with me, and I don't mean to be robbed."
The next moment my heart gave a great throb, for the shovel struck
something hard.
"Hold the lantern down here, Frank, quick!" I commanded in a hoarse
voice.
He obeyed, but to my disappointment the object proved to be a large
stone.
"I guess it's under that," I whispered, stopping work for a moment.
"Pop, there's another piece of paper," said Frank.
I stooped over and picked it up. I saw that there was writing on it,
and holding it up beside the lantern read:
"Dig three feet under the Beacon Tree and you will be an April fool.
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