"Well, boys, and how about loot; did you lay out your money?"
"We laid it out, father; but we have not the least idea whether we have bought rubbish or not. This black bag is full of it."
So saying, Ned emptied a large handbag upon the top of a barrel which served as a table. Colonel Warrener gave a cry of astonishment as a great stream of bracelets, necklaces, tiaras, aigrettes, and other ornaments poured out of the bag.
"Good gracious, boys! do you mean to say all these are yours?"
"Ours and yours, father; there were forty pounds of your money, and thirty-five of ours. Do you think they are real?"
Colonel Warrener took one or two articles from the flashing heap of diamonds, emeralds, rubies, opals and pearls.
"I should say so," he said; "some of them are certainly. But have you any idea what these are worth?"
"Not the least in the world," Ned said; "if they are real, though, I suppose they are worth some thousands of pounds."
"My boys, I should say," Colonel Warrener replied, turning over the heap, "they must be worth a hundred thousand if they are worth a penny."
The boys looked at each other in astonishment.
"Really, father?"
"Really, my boys."
"Hurrah," Dick said. "Then you can give up the service when this war is over, father, and go home and live as a rich man; that will be glorious."
"My dear boys, the prize is yours."
"Nonsense, father!" exclaimed the boys together.
