"Not pieces of eight, Jack?" asked Percival with a broad grin.

"No, American twenties and tens, and a few English sovereigns," said Jack,
taking out a handful of the coins. "Why, there's more than a hundred
dollars right in my fist."

"And a lot of bags, too, Jack," and Percival bent over and looked into the
chest. "There must be thousands of dollars there, Jack."

"Yes, if they all contain gold. Take care of this one, Dick, while----"

At that moment there was a sudden heavy sound outside, and both boys
started up in surprise.

"What's that, Dick?"

"I don't know, but I don't like it."

"There is no water coming in?"

"Not that I can see."

The sound was repeated, louder than before, and Percival said nervously,
while his cheek was noticed to have perceptibly paled:

"Let us get out of here, Jack. I am frightened, I admit. If anything
should happen to you I would never forgive myself."

He closed the lid of the chest with his foot, caught Jack by the arm, and
said as he hurried away: