The hole was down almost two feet now and the Chief was beginning to frown anxiously.  “They made a good job of it,” he growled.  “I guess—­”

But he forgot to say what he guessed, for just at that moment there was an exclamation from the officer who was wielding the spade and all bent forward as he dropped his implement and reached down into the hole.  When he straightened up again he brought a small bundle wrapped in a piece of black rubber sheeting.  The Chief seized it and unwrapped the sheeting, laying bare a small pasteboard box tied with a piece of pink string.  With the string undone and the lid off one glance was enough to show that they had found the stolen jewelry.

“That’s the stuff, all right,” said the Chief with satisfaction.  “And I guess it’s all here, from the looks.  You’d better dig down and make sure, though.”

The officer obeyed, while the others crowded around the Chief.  The stolen things had been tossed carelessly into the box, a few still wrapped in squares of tissue paper but the most rattling together indiscriminately.  There were watches and scarfpins and brooches and studs and watch charms and several bracelets and one platinum and gold chain.  The robbers had selected carefully, for every article was valuable, although it still seemed possible that the Chief’s estimate of seven hundred dollars was generous enough.

“They’ll be some surprised if they ever come back for it, won’t they?” asked the chauffeur with a chuckle.  “Say, Chief, why don’t you set a man to watch for ’em?”

“I would if I knew when they were coming,” replied the official drily.  “But they may not come back here for a month.  Maybe they won’t then.  They won’t if we can get our hands on them,” he added grimly.

The officer who had been probing the hole further reported nothing more there, and, well satisfied, they returned to the car.

“I’ll check this up when we get back to the station,” said the Chief, tossing the box carelessly to the seat.  “Black and Wiggin are mighty lucky to get it back.  They wouldn’t have if it hadn’t been for these chaps.  Say, boys, you tell Wiggin he ought to give you something for this.  You certainly deserve it.”  And the officers agreed.

“Oh, if there isn’t any reward offered,” said Amy, “we don’t want anything.”

“Well, he ought to be willing to give you something.  How much time is there before that train goes?  Most an hour?  That’s all right then.  We’ll go back to the station and I’ll ’phone Wiggin to come around.”

The return trip was made in quick time and almost before they knew it the boys were back in the Chief’s office at the station house.  The Chief wouldn’t consent to their leaving until Mr. Wiggin had arrived, although they both declared that the jeweller didn’t owe them anything and that they mustn’t on any account lose their train.

“You won’t,” replied the Chief.  “You can walk to the station in three minutes and you’ve still got forty.  Sit down there while I check this stuff up.”