"Think
what it means! How we have suffered; and now, when this is at our
very hands!"
"But suppose it were something other than the papers," cautioned
Jack. "Those men had a pretty bad reputation."
"I will take all the risks," declared Cora, and before Jack could
detain her she ran to the bush, pushed it aside, and grasped the
can.
Jack hurried to take it from her. "Let me have it, Cora; if there
is a risk it must be mine."
"All right, Jack dear," she replied, "I am sure there is nothing in
it heavier than papers. Wouldn't you think those men could have
guessed that?"
"Perhaps they did not want to," said Jack. "You can never tell what
they want or mean. They have a system even the country fellows, and
it covers a multitude of failures." He shook the can, put it to his
ear, rolled it a few feet, picked it up again and laughed. "Mr.
Mulligan won't find this can," he said, "Somehow it is attractive,
and I am anxious as you girls to see what is in it. If we get in
trouble for taking it--well, we'll see," and he led the way down to
the Petrel.
On the water they passed the police boat, but the can of "red
paint," was snugly resting under Laurel's skirts in the bottom of
the boat.
"Will you tell your father at once, Laurel?" Cora asked.
"If he is well enough. Oh, I can scarcely wait. Coral, what
wonderful good luck you brought to us," and she reached out her hand
to press Cora's.
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