been carefully made damp-proof.

The boys took the money out in double handfuls and deposited it in the
old Spanish chest.

"It will be quite safe there until to-morrow," said Mrs. Hartley, "and
then we must get it to the bank. But as no one yet knows of our
discovery, there can be no danger of its being stolen to-night."

"What ever made Uncle Marmaduke choose this way of concealing his
fortune?" asked Bob, as he kept on transferring the money from its
hiding-place to the chest.

"He had a fear of banks or investments," said Mrs. Cromarty. "I've often
heard him say he wouldn't trust any of them. He said he'd rather be sure
of his principal, and go without his interest."

"Crickets!" said Bob, "if all this _had_ been out at interest for forty
years, think how it would have increased!"

"Yes," said his mother, "but in that case it would not have been hidden,
and before now, it might have all been spent."

"Then I'm glad the old gentleman chose this way of banking. And I suppose
he meant to leave full instructions where to find it."

"Well," said Sinclair, "we found it without his instructions, thanks to
our Patty."

And then they all began again to bless and praise Patty, until she was
really embarrassed at their overwhelming gratitude.

"We'd offer you a share," said Bob, gaily, "but you already have more
than you know what to do with."

"Perhaps not quite that," said Patty, smiling, "but I have enough. And,
oh! I am so glad that you have your own at last."

"How much do you suppose there is?" asked Mabel, awestruck, as she
watched the boys still carrying their precious handfuls across the room.

"Enough to buy you some new frocks, sister," said Sinclair, "and enough
to fix up dear old Cromarty as it should be fixed up."

"There must be thousands of pounds," said Grandma Cromarty. "To think of
Marmaduke exchanging all his securities and bonds for gold and notes! I
suppose he did it while I was away in London. He was a most erratic man."

"Well, you see," said Sinclair, thoughtfully, "once he had the place
built, he could drop his money through whenever he received any. I can
imagine the old chap, after every one else in the house was in bed,
standing here and dropping in his coins one by one, and listening to them
clink. Why, it's like a child's toy savings-bank, on a large scale."

"It's a large scale!" said Bob. "Whew! I'm tired out. But it's nearly all
in the chest now, and see, Grandy, the chest i