s I'm greatly
mistaken, that's where the jewels are."

Making the Russian strip off his shirt, he unhooked the money belt, and
while Garry held his light, examined the pockets.

Each one was crowded with magnificent gems that flashed under the rays
of the flashlamp!

CHAPTER XX.

THE MAP AGAIN.

The men were marched away to the village, where they were incarcerated
in the village lockup. In order that there would not be the slightest
chance of their escaping, or being rescued by friends, who might in some
way learn of their capture, Fernald ordered the Customs agents and the
sheriff and his deputies to stand guard the rest of the night, keeping
the prisoners constantly under surveillance.

Himself taking charge of the precious belt, he led the way to the
Everett house. Here they found that Ruth had not retired, but had stayed
up, nervously awaiting their return.

Carefully drawing the shades of the windows, Fernald emptied the pockets
of the belt out onto the tablecloth.

For moments all stood spellbound at the beauty and magnificence of the
gems.

Then Fernald, almost with awe in his voice, said:

"Why, there's a king's ransom here!"

After the party had examined the gems, and commented again and again on
their beauty, it occurred to Ruth to ask what would be the disposal of
the jewels.

"I imagine that in this case, since they are recovered after a theft,
that an effort will be made to get in touch with the rightful owner. In
the case of ordinary smuggled jewels, they would be seized by the United
States. This, however, is a slightly different case. It is up to the
department at Washington, where I shall go immediately to turn this
fortune over to the proper persons. I confess, the quicker they get out
of my care, the better I shall like it. They are too fabulously valuable
to allow me to keep cool while in possession of them. Every minute I
shall feel that someone is trying to get them. I'm off to Washington as
soon as day comes, and I can get a train," concluded Fernald.

"And now, before we trot off to bed, what are your plans, boys? Will you
return to Augusta to get your old station back again, or what?" asked
the Customs man.

"Why, to tell you the truth, I should like a chance to stay here for two
or three days and get a little hunting and fishing. We didn't have much
chance for that while we were on this mission. I guess perhaps we could
wire the Chief Ranger and ask for a little furl