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THE PRACTICE SHELL
57

notice that it shows no signs of having been wet, except by the dew. It was never in the flood, or it would have mud on it. And I don't believe it was worn by the jeweler, and dropped here; otherwise, having good eyesight, as all jewelers and watch repairers have, he would have seen his box."

"Then you think——," began Sid.

"That it was dropped here by someone who was on this island either before, or after, we were here the first time; by someone who found the box, opened it, and took the stuff away," finished Frank.

"And who that person was it's up to us to find out," declared Tom.

"Exactly. And here's another thing," went on Frank, "this piece of silk is torn off in a long strip, cleanly, and it looks to me as if it might have been one of several so torn, or ripped, to make a bundle of the cups and jewelry. If we can find a handkerchief like this, with a strip torn off, we'll come pretty close to the person who has the Boxer Hall cups," finished the Big Callfornlan.

"Maybe the fellow tore off a couple of strips, used the main part of his handkerchief in which to wrap his stuff, and left one strip here by mistake," suggested Phil.

"Maybe," admitted Frank. "Well, we've got about all we can find here, I guess. I vote we get back, and talk this matter over among ourselves. And, mind, not a word to a soul!"