“And much you’ll find, I’m sure! I declare, Hurd Applegate, you’re just as bad as those boys are.”

“Maybe, maybe,” he answered. “But I’m going to help them search the new tower, anyway.”

“Don’t ask me to brush the dust off your clothes when you come back, then. For that’s all you’ll get. Dust. Nothing more. The jewels and bonds are no more in the new tower than they are back in the safe right now.”

“All right, Adelia. Perhaps you’re right. But it won’t hurt to make a search, anyway. Come on, boys.”

With that, Hurd Applegate led the way down the hall and opened the door leading to a corridor that extended toward the new tower. Frank and Joe, tingling with excitement, followed.