"
Don Esteban made no move to comply with the request, but looked
at the boys in such a perplexed manner that the sick man was
quick to take notice.
"What is it?" he asked, rising on his elbow and looking at Don
Esteban with burning gaze. "What is it? Has anything happened to
the box?"
"Yes," faltered the banker, "it has been stolen."
"Stolen!" almost shrieked Santiago. "Stolen! Then there stands
the thief!" and he pointed to Strong, who stood with blanched
face.
"We know that," said Billie, "but the box has been stolen again
and no one knows where it has gone."
"You are wrong," muttered Strong. "It has not been stolen. It is
in the bank where it always was."
"Impossible!" cried Don Esteban. "How could it be back in the
vault?"
"Ask Ambrosio," replied Strong, with a wan smile. "He can tell."
"Of course he cannot tell," almost shouted Don Esteban.
"Then we shall never know; but I am sure the box is there."
"Send for it! Send for it!" cried Santiago. "Send for it at once
that I may turn over to my daughter the secret of the mine."
"That you will never be able to do," said Strong. "It has been
destroyed."
"Destroyed!" burst from almost every lip. "Destroyed? How?"
Strong shook his head.
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