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56
THE EIGHT-OARED VICTORS

after we did. That's one thing we've got to find out—and it isn't going to be any cinch, take it from me!"

They all examined the box, and then looked about the place where it had been found, for other clues. But they found none—no other parts of the wrecked boat seemed to be there.

As they were coming away, to get to their boat and row to Randall, Tom stooped and picked from the ground a bit of gaudily-colored silk, a plaid of many colors, in a sort of ribbon.

"What's that?" asked Sid.

"Looks like part of a Scotch necktie," replied the tall pitcher.

"Let's have a look," suggested Frank, as he closely examined the piece of silk. "That's no part of a necktie!" he exclaimed. "It's a piece of a Mexican silk handkerchief of all the colors of the rainbow. I've seen 'em on sale out in my state. The Mexicans and some other folks are fond of sporting them, but they were always too rich for my blood. But, fellows, do you notice one thing about this?" and he held it up for inspection.

"Do you mean it might have been worn by the jeweler, and dropped in his motor-boat?" asked Tom.

"It might have been worn by the jeweler, but not very likely," said Frank. "In the first place,