Buying a box of old stuff at a cheap price, unexpectedly finding a million dollar treasure

The chest has a secret compartment that holds a treasure trove of rings, diamonds and gold.

This former US Navy sailor purchased an antique box with a marble-encrusted lid from an old house after its owner passed away. When the veteran found treasure hidden in a secret compartment of the box, he decided to do what any honest soldier would do.

Specifically, a former American sailor and former marketing director EmiKnodell has always been interested in collecting antiques. So when he heard about the purchase of a dead man's house in Missouri City, TexasKnodell immediately went to find some treasures.

Accordingly, the classic chest with a marble lid, dating from around 1890, soon caught the attention of these two men and they decided to buy it at a reduced price of $10.

“Since it had a beautiful marble lid, I thought I would use it in my dining room. But upon further inspection, I found a secret compartment, inside of which were real treasures locked away,” Knodell, of Texas, told ABC News.

Knodell then heard a clanging sound as the box was loaded onto the cart. Upon further inspection, he found a secret compartment and inside it were hidden real treasures.

“There were rings, diamonds, gold, everything. We were both shocked,” said Jeff Allen, who helped Knodell buy the chest.

However, the two immediately decided to return the treasure to its owner.

“I only bought the box, not the contents. If I had kept them, I would never have felt that it was right. I am an ex-Marine and I always try to do the right thing. Jeff was the same way when his immediate reaction was to call the owner,” Knodell added.