"Next let us measure back eighty-five feet," said Croyden, producing a
tape-line.... "There! this is where the beech tree should stand. But
where were the other trees, and where did the two lines drawn from them
intersect?"...
"Yes, now you have it!" said Macloud--"where were the trees, and where
did the lines intersect? I reckon you're stumped."
"Let us try some more assuming. You had a compass yesterday, still got
it?"
Macloud drew it out and tossed it over.
"I took the trouble to make a number of diagrams last night, and they
disclosed a peculiar thing. With the location of the first tree fixed,
it matters little where the others were, in determining the direction
of the treasure. It is practically the same. The _objective point_ will
change as you change the position of the trees, but the _direction_
will vary scarcely at all. It is self-evident, of course, to those who
understand such things, but it was a valuable find for me. Now, if we
are correct in our assumption, thus far, the treasure is buried----"
He opened the compass, and having brought North under the needle, ran
his eye North-by-North-east. A queer look passed over his face, then he
glanced at Macloud and smiled.
"The treasure is buried," he repeated--"the treasure is buried--_out in
the Bay_."
Macloud laughed!
"Looks as if wading would be a bit difficult," he said dryly.
Croyden produced the tape-line again, and they measured to the low
bluff at the water's edge.
"Two hundred and eighty-two feet to here," he said, "and Parmenter
buried the treasure at three hundred and thirty feet--therefore, it's
forty-eight feet out in the Bay."
"Then your supposition is that, since Parmenter's time, the Bay has not
only encroached on the Point, but also has eaten in on the sides."
"It would seem so."
"It's hard to dig in water," Macloud remarked. "It's apt to fill in the
hole, you know."
"Don't be sarcastic," Croyden retorted. "I'm not responsible for the
Bay, nor the Point, nor Parmenter, nor anything else connected with the
fool quest, please remember."
"Except the present measurements and the theory on which they're
based," Macloud replied. "And as the former seem to be accurate, and
the latter more than reasonable, we'd best act on them."
"At least, I am satisfied that the treasure lies either in the Bay, or
close on shore; if so, we have relieved ourselves from digging up the
entire Point."
"You have given us a mighty plausible start," said Macloud.
"Land or water?" Croyden laughed. "Hello, whom have we here?" as a
buggy emerged from among the timber, circled around, and halted before
the tents.
"It is Hook-nose back again," said Macloud. "Come to pay a social call,
I suppose! Anything about for them to steal?"
"Nothing but the shooting-irons."
"They're safe--I put them under the blankets."
"What the devil do they want?"
"Come to treat with us--to share the treasure."
"Hum! they've got their nerve!" exclaimed Croyden.
By this time, they had been observed by the men in the buggy who,
immediately, came toward them.
"Let us get away from this place!" said Croyden, and they sauntered
along landward.
"And make them stop us--don't give the least indication that we know
them," added Macloud.
As the buggy neared, Macloud and Croyden glanced carelessly at the
occupants, and were about to pass on, when Hook-nose calmly drew the
horse over in front of them.
"Which of you men is named Croyden?" he asked.
"I am," said Geoffrey.
"Well, you're the man we're lookin' for. Geoffrey is the rest of your
handle, isn't it?"
"You have the advantage of me," Croyden assured him.
"Yes, I think I have, in more ways than your name. Where can we have a
little private talk?"
"We can't!" said Croyden, stepping quickly around the horse and
continuing on his way--Macloud and Axtell following.
"If you'd rather have it before your friends, I'm perfectly ready to
accommodate you," said the fellow. "I thought, however, you'd rather
keep the little secret. Well, we'll be waiting for you at the tents,
all right, my friend!" and he drove ahead.
"Macloud, we are going to bag those fellows right now--and easy, too,"
said Croyden. "When we get to the tents, I'll take them into one--and
give them a chance to talk. When you and Axtell have the revolvers,
with one for me, you can join us. They are armed, of course, but only
with small pistols, likely, and you should have the drop on them before
they can draw. Come, at any time--I'll let down the tent flaps on the
plea of secrecy (since they've suggested it), so you can approach with
impunity."
"This is where _we_ get killed, Axtell!" said Macloud. "I would that I
were in my happy home, or any old place but here. But I've enlisted for
the war, so here goes! If you think it will do any good to pray, we can
just as well wait until you've put up a few. I'm not much in that line,
myself."
"Imagine a broker praying!" laughed Axtell.
"I can't," said Macloud. "But there seem to be no rules to the game
we're playing, so I wanted to give you the opportunity."
As they approached the tents, Hook-nose passed the reins to Bald-head
and got out.
"What's to do now?" asked Macloud. "They're separated."
"Leave it to me, I'll get them together," Croyden answered.... "You
wish to see me, privately?" to Hook-nose.
"I wish to see you--it's up to you whether to make it private or not."
"Come along!" said Croyden, leading the way toward the tent, which was
pitched a trifle to one side.... "Now, sir, what is it?" as the flaps
dropped behind them.
"You've a business way about you, which I like----" began Hook-nose.
"Never mind my ways!" Croyden interrupted. "Come to the point--what do
you want?"
"There's no false starts with you, my friend, are there!" laughed the
other. "That's the thing--bang! and we are off. Good!--we'll get to
business. You lost a letter recently----"
"Not at all," Croyden cut in. "I had a letter _stolen_--you, I suppose,
are the thief."
"I, or my pal--it matters not which," the fellow replied easily. "Now,
what we want, is to make some arrangement as to the division of the
treasure, when you've found it."
"I thought as much!" said Croyden. "Well, let me tell you there won't
be any arrangement made with you, alone. You must get your pal here--I
don't agree with one. I agree with both or none."
"Oh, very well, I'll have him in, if you wish."
Croyden bowed.
"I do wish," he said.
Hook-nose went to the front of the tent and raised the flap.
"Bill!" he called, "hitch the horse and come in."
And Macloud and Axtell heard and understood.
While Hook-nose was summoning his partner, Croyden very naturally
retired to the rear of the tent, thus obliging the rogues to keep their
backs to the entrance.
"Mr. Smith, this is Mr. Croyden!" said Hook-nose.
"I'm glad to make your acquaint----" began Smith.
"There is no need for an introduction," Croyden interrupted curtly.
"You're thieves, by profession, and blackmailers, in addition. Get down
to business, if you please!"
"You're not overly polite, my friend--but we'll pass that by. You're
hell for business, and that's our style. You understand, I see, that
this treasure hunt has got to be kept quiet. If anyone peaches, the
Government's wise and Parmenter's chest is dumped into its strong
box--that is, as much as is left after the officials get their own
flippers out. Now, my idea is for you people to do the searching, and,
when the jewels is found, me and Bill will take half and youn's half.
Then we all can knock off work, and live respectable."
"Rather a good bargain for you," said Croyden. "We supply the
information, do all the work and give up half the spoils--for what,
pray?"
"For our silence, and an equal share in the information. You have
doubtless forgot that we have the letter now."
"And what if I refuse?" Croyden asked.
"You're not likely to refuse!" the fellow laughed, impudently. "Better
half a big loaf than no loaf at all."
"But _if_ I refuse?" Croyden repeated.
"I see what's in your mind, all right. But it won't work, and you know
it. You can have us arrested, yes--and lose your plunder. Parmenter's
money belongs to the United States because it's buried in United States
land. A word to the Treasury Department, with the old pirate's letter,
and the jig is up. We'll risk your giving us to the police, my friend!"
with a sneering laugh. "If you're one to throw away good money, I miss
my guess."
Croyden affected to consider.
"I forgot to say, that as you're fixed so comfortable here, me and Bill
might as well stay with you--it will be more convenient, when you
uncover the chest, you know; in the excitement, you're liable to forget
that we come in for a share."
"Anything else you are moved to exact?" said Croyden. His ears were
primed, and they told him that Macloud and Axtell were coming--"Let us
have them all, so I can decide--I want no afterthoughts."
"You've got them all--and very reasonable they are!" laughed
Hook-nose.
Just then, Macloud and Axtell stepped noiselessly into the tent.
Something in Croyden's face caused Hook-nose's laugh to end abruptly.
He swung sharply around--and faced Macloud's leveled revolver--Axtell's
covered his pal.
"Hands up! Both of you!"--Croyden cried--"None of that,
Hook-nose!--make another motion to draw a gun, and we'll scatter your
brains like chickenfeed." His own big revolver was sticking out of
Macloud's pocket. He took it. "Now, I'll look after you, while my
friends tie up your pal, and the first one to open his head gets a
bullet down his throat."
"Hands behind your back, Bald-head," commanded Axtell, briskly. "Be
quick about it, Mr. Macloud is wonderfully easy on the trigger. So,
that's better! just hold them there a moment."
He produced a pair of nippers, and snapped them on.
"Now, lie down and put your feet together--closer! closer!" Another
pair were snapped on them.
"Now, I'll do for you," Axtell remarked, turning toward Hook-nose.
With Croyden's and Macloud's guns both covering him, the fellow was
quickly secured.
"With your permission, we will search you," said Croyden. "Macloud, if
you will look to Mr. Smith, I'll attend to Hook-nose. We'll give them a
taste of their own medicine."
"You think you're damn smart!" exclaimed Hook-nose.
"Shut up!" said Croyden. "I don't care to shoot a prisoner, but I'll do
it without hesitation. It's going to be either perfect quiet or
permanent sleep--and you may do the choosing."
He slowly went through Hook-nose's clothes--finding a small pistol,
several well-filled wallets, and, in his inside waistcoat pocket, the
Parmenter letter. Macloud did the same for Bald-head.
"You stole one hundred and seventy-nine dollars from Mr. Macloud and
one hundred and eight from me," said Croyden. "You may now have the
privilege of returning it, and the letter. If you make no more trouble,
lie quiet and take your medicine, you'll receive no further harm. If
you're stubborn, we'll either kill you and dump your bodies in the Bay,
or give you up to the police. The latter would be less trouble, for,
without the letter, you can tell your story to the Department, or
whomever else you please--it's your word against ours--and you are
thieves!"
"How long are you going to hold us prisoners?" asked Bald-head--"till
you find the treasure? Oh, Lord!"
"As long as it suits our convenience."
"And luck is with you," Hook-nose sneered.
"At present, it _is_ with us--very much with us, my friend," said
Croyden. "You will excuse us, now, we have pressing business,
elsewhere."
When they were out of hearing, Macloud said:
"Doesn't our recovery of Parmenter's letter change things very
materially?"
"It seems to me it does," Croyden answered. "Indeed, I think we need
fear the rogues no longer--we can simply have them arrested for the
theft of our wallets, or even release them entirely."
"Arrest is preferable," said Macloud. "It will obviate all danger of
our being shot at long range, by the beggars. Let us put them where
they're safe, for the time."
"But the arrest must not be made here!" interposed Croyden. "We can't
send for the police: if they find them here it would give color to
their story of a treasure on Greenberry Point."
"Then Axtell and I will remain on guard, while you go to town and
arrange for their apprehension--say, just as they come off the Severn
bridge. When you return, we can release them."
"What if they don't cross the Severn--what if they scent our game, and
keep straight on to Baltimore? They can abandon their team, and catch a
Short Line train at a way station."
"Then the Baltimore police can round them up. I'm for chancing it.
They've lost Parmenter's letter; haven't anything to substantiate their
story. Furthermore, we have a permit for the Chairman of the Naval
Affairs Committee and friends to camp here. I think that, now, we can
afford to ignore them--the recovery of the letter was exceedingly
lucky."
"Very good!" said Macloud--"you're the one to be satisfied; it's a
whole heap easier than running a private prison ourselves."
Croyden looked the other's horse over carefully, so he could describe
it accurately, then they hitched up their own team and he drove off to
Annapolis.
In due time, he returned.
"It's all right!" he said. "I told the Mayor we had passed two men on
the Severn bridge whom we identified as those who picked our pockets,
Wednesday evening, in Carvel Hall--and gave him the necessary
descriptions. He recognized the team as one of 'Cheney's Best,' and
will have the entire police force--which consists of four men--waiting
at the bridge on the Annapolis side." He looked at his watch. "They are
there, now, so we can turn the prisoners loose."
Croyden and Macloud resumed their revolvers, and returned to the
tent--to be greeted with a volley of profanity which, for fluency and
vocabulary, was distinctly marvelous. Gradually, it died away--for want
of breath and words.
"Choice! Choice!" said Croyden. "In the cuss line, you two are the real
thing. Why didn't you open up sooner?--you shouldn't hide such
proficiency from an admiring world."
Whereat it flowed forth afresh from Hook-nose. Bald-head, however,
remained quiet, and there was a faint twinkle in his eyes, as though he
caught the humor of the situation. They were severely cramped, and in
considerable pain, but their condition was not likely to be benefited
by swearing at their captors.
"Just listen to him!" said Croyden, as Hook-nose took a fresh start.
"Did you ever hear his equal!... Now, if you'll be quiet a moment, like
your pal, we will tell you something that possibly you'll not be averse
to hear.... So, that's better. We're about to release you--let you go
free; it's too much bother to keep you prisoners. These little toy guns
of yours, however, we shall throw into the Bay, in interest of the
public peace. May we trouble you, Mr. Axtell, to remove the bonds?...
Thank you! Now, you may arise and shake yourselves--you'll, likely,
find the circulation a trifle restricted, for a few minutes."
Hook-nose gave him a malevolent look, but made no reply, Bald-head
grinned broadly.
"Now, if you have sufficiently recovered, we will escort you to your
carriage! Forward, march!"
And with the two thieves in front, and the three revolvers bringing up
the rear, they proceeded to the buggy. The thieves climbed in.
"We wish you a very good day!" said Croyden. "Drive on, please!"