"You've given me another brainwave, Penny. Let's see what the eighth book is? Here it is. Second of Corinthians... But what does April mean?"

"Listen, Jon! When they give out a text they give the chapter after the name of the book and then the number of the verse, don't they? Just suppose that in some way April is a clue to the chapter in Corinthians?"

Jon turned over the big pages. "There are thirteen chapters. Let's look at the beginning of each one to see if it says anything about spring or the time of the year."

They could not find anything which made sense, although one chapter began with the words, "Would that ye could bear with me in a little foolishness" and another with, "This is the third time I am coming to you."

"We shall have to read it all, Jon! I'm sure that's the only way. Come on. You read the first chapter and I'll read the next."

"Wait a sec, Penny. We said just now that it might have something to do with the time of the year. April is the fourth month, isn't it? Let's try Chapter Four..."

"And verse 7," Penny broke in excitedly. "That's it, of course."

And when they read the first words of this verse they felt sure they were right: "But we have this treasure in earthen vessels!"

"We've got it! We've got it!" Penny chanted, and in her excitement flung her arms round Jon and hugged him.

"What's come over you?" her cousin said, coldly disengaging himself. "I think we've solved the meaning of the clue, but we're not much nearer finding the treasure. 'Earthen vessels' might mean an old vase."

Jon began picking up the maps, the books and the papers and putting them back in the box.

"I've got a headache," he said. "Let's go out even if it is still raining. I'd like some fresh air and we can talk as we go... We've done very well, Penny, and we'll find these earthen vessels somehow, but I don't like the sound of them because they may well be buried somewhere... Pack those dirty crocks up while I lock the box."

"What are you going to do with the clue?" Penny asked as she piled up the plates on the tray with a clatter. "Shall I sew it in your shirt?"

"No, thanks! I'm locking everything in the box except the clue, and that I'll keep in my wallet... See me put it in, Penny! Now, I'll carry that tray and you take the key and be sure to lock the door after us. The fire's out so that's safe enough."

They went over to find Mrs. Warrender.

"Have you been up there all day?" she asked when they found her. "How have you got on and do you like the place?"

"It's wonderful, darling," Penny replied. "We shall practically live there while we're at home. I hope you don't mind."