as might be imagined, there was but
one topic of conversation.

"Well, Brian," said Mr. Ormond, "what'll you give me for what's inside
the box?"

"I should want to see first what it is, uncle."

"Very likely; but I want to know what offer you are inclined to make
before it is opened. Come now--a speculation."

Brian laughed, and Elsie, who seemed unable to sit still on her chair,
burst out with--"Father, if it is full of bank-notes, will you buy us a
pony?"

"I think I must take an example from Brian, and be cautious," answered
her father, laughing. "There are bank-notes and bank-notes. They might
each be worth five pounds or five hundred; and between the two there is
a considerable difference."

"If it's full of five-pound notes, would you buy us a pony?"

"Well--yes. I think I may safely say I would," answered Mr. Ormond, with
another laugh. "But," he added, "I'm afraid, Elsie, that I shan't be
called upon to fulfil my promise."

Elsie clapped her hands. Her mother smiled, and paused in the act of
raising the silver teapot.

"Come, now," she remarked; "suppose each of you say in turn what you
think will be found inside this wonderful box that has been shut up for
twenty years."

"Father, you begin," said Ida--"you guess first."

"I'm sure I can't form any idea," was the answer. "What does your mother
say?"

"I'll guess it's full of old letters and papers," was the reply.

"O mother, how uninteresting!" exclaimed Ida. "I'll say it's jewellery
and silver plate."

"I'll say a bag of money!" cried Brian.

"I'll say old clothes!" shouted Guy. "What d'you say, Elsie?"

"A pony--no, I mean bank-notes," was the prompt reply, received with a
fresh outburst of merriment.

"Well, come along," said Mr. Ormond, rising from the table. "Come along,
and we'll see which of you has guessed nearest the truth."

The children all sprang from their chairs.

"A procession! a procession!" cried Ida. And one was immediately formed.
Mr. Ormond went first, carrying the lamp; Guy followed, beating a tray
to represent a drum; Ida, Elsie, and Brian improvised musical instruments
out of the fire-irons, and Mrs. Ormond brought up the rear.

"Now," said Mr. Ormond, when the library was reached and the band ceased
its triumphal march, "suppose you strong young men lift the box out into
the middle of the room, and then we'll commence operations."

Guy and Brian soon had the chest in the position indicated; the lamp was
put