“I believe you’re right,” Rogers agreed. “It does seem to be a bit darker in color, but the difference is so slight that not one in a hundred would have noticed it.” “Oh, Bill’s got sharp eyes all right,” Gordon told him. “I’ll say he has,” Rogers agreed. “Listen, now,” Bill said as he picked up a stone about the size of his fist. “I’m going to hit the wall just beyond that crack and then I’m going to hit the other side of it and I want you to note if there’s any difference in the sounds. Well, how about it?” he asked after he had made the experiment. “There was a difference,” Gordon declared and Rogers agreed with him. “I thought so myself,” Bill told them. “But let’s try it again.” They tried the experiment several times and they were all thoroughly convinced that the stone did not form an integral part of the cliff. “That stone has been put there sure as you’re born,” Bill declared. “And it must have been put there for a reason,” Gordon added. “I believe you’re right on both counts,” Rogers told them. “And it looks to me as though we were at the end of our search,” Gordon said. “Don’t be too sure of that,” Bill cautioned him. “There’s lots of room for a slip yet.” “Oh, I’m not counting any chickens before they’re hatched,” Gordon grinned. “But it looks hopeful, as the old maid said when a man tipped his hat to her.” “Well, the next question is how are we going to find out,” Bill said. “And rather a hard question at that,” Rogers added. “If that stone was set in there the fellow that did it sure did one mighty fine job,” Gordon declared. “Look how fine the crack is all around it except on that one side. Why, it must have taken him a long time to get it just the right shape.” “No doubt about that,” Rogers told him, “But remember, he was hiding something very valuable and, according to his own account, he had lots of time on his hands.” “Well, it isn’t getting us anywhere standing here talking about it,” Bill told them. “Action is what we want,” Gordon added. “Get up on my shoulders and hit it with a rock again,” Bill said as he took his stand close to the wall. “There’s a hollow place behind it,” Gordon assured them a moment later. “Seems pretty solid, doesn’t it?” Rogers asked. “Sure does. But a crowbar might do the trick.” “A drill and a stick of dynamite would be better,” Bill said as Gordon jumped to the ground. “Neither of which we’ve got,” Gordon declared. “But I reckon we can get both in Honolulu,” Rogers told him. “Well, there’s lots of time for that,” Bill said. “Let’s look around first and see if we can find anything nearer.” “You don’t expect to find a crowbar lying around loose, do you?” Gordon laughed. “Hardly that,” Bill told him, “but we might find a pointed stone which we could use. You see, it might not take much of a tug to get it out.” “It won’t do any harm to try at any rate,” Rogers said as he began looking around.