The others crowded round and stared uncomprehendingly at the three articles he held. For a moment it seemed as though their eyes must have deceived them.

A card of small pearl buttons, a square of coarse knitting and a piece of paper on which were inscribed a row of capital E ’s!

“Well,” said Battle. “I’m⁠—I’m danged! What’s the meaning of this?”

“ Mon Dieu ,” muttered the Frenchman. “ Ça, c’est un peu trop fort! ”

“But what does it mean?” cried Virginia, bewildered.