"My noble patron was, as you may imagine, rather alarmed; but he is very
courageous in disposition, and he inquired of the old man who he was,
and how he had come on board.
"`I came on board with my own money,' replied the spectre. `It is all
my own, and I shall keep it. The Church shall never have one stiver of
it if I can help it.'
"Whereupon, my patron pulled out a famous relic, which he wears on his
bosom, and held it towards him; at which the old man howled and
screamed, and then most unwillingly disappeared. For two more nights
the spectre was obstinate, but at the sight of the relic, he invariably
went off howling, as if in great pain; every time that he went away,
invariably crying out `Lost--lost!'--and during the remainder of the
voyage he did not trouble us any more.
"We thought, when our patron told us this, that he referred to the money
being lost to him, but it appears he referred to the ship; indeed it was
very inconsiderate to have taken the wealth of a parricide on board; we
could not expect any good fortune with such a freight, and so it proved.
When the ship was lost, our patron was very anxious to save the money;
it was put on the raft, and when we landed, it was taken on shore and
buried, that it might be restored and given to the church to which it
had been bequeathed; but the men who buried it are all dead, and there
is no one but my friend here, the patron, who knows the spot.--I forgot
to say that as soon as the money was landed on the island and buried,
the spectre appeared as before, and seated itself over the spot where
the money was interred. I think, if this had not been the case, the
seamen would have taken possession of it. But, by its appearance here
this day, I presume it is tired, and has deserted its charge, or else
has come here that the money might be sent for, though I cannot
understand why."
"Strange--very strange! So there is a large treasure buried in the
sand?"
"There is."
"I should think, by the spectre's coming here, that it has abandoned
it."
"Of course it has, or it would not be here."
"What can you imagine to have been the cause of its coming?"
"Probably to announce its intention, and request my friend to have the
treasure sent for; but you know it was interrupted."
"Very true; but it called your friend Vanderdecken."
"It was the name which he took on board of the ship."
"And it was the name of the lady."
"Very true. He fell in with her at the Cape of Good Hope, and brought
her away with him."
"Then she is his wife?"
"I must not answer that question. It is quite sufficient that he treats
her as his wife."
"Ah! indeed. But about this treasure. You say that no one knows where
it is buried but the patron, as you call him?"
"No one."
"Will you express my regret at what has passed, and tell him I will have
the pleasure of seeing him to-morrow."
"Certainly, signor," replied Krantz, rising from his chair, and wishing
the commandant a good evening as he retired.
"I was after one thing, and have found another. A spectre that must
have been; but he must be a bold spectre that can frighten me from
doubloons; besides, I can call in the priests. Now, let me see: if I
let this man go on condition that he reveals the site of the treasure to
the authorities--that is to me--why then I need not lose the fair young
woman. If I forward this paper to her, why then I gain her; but I must
first get rid of him. Of the two, I prefer--yes!--the gold! But I
cannot obtain both. At all events, let me obtain the money first. I
want it more than the Church does; but if I do get the money, these two
men can expose me. I must get rid of them--silence them for ever--and
then perhaps I may obtain the fair Amine also. Yes, their death will be
necessary to secure either; that is, after I have the first in my
possession. Let me think."
For some minutes the commandant walked up and down the room, reflecting
upon the best method of proceeding. "He says it was a spectre, and he
has told a plausible story," thought he; "but I don't know--I have my
doubts; they may be tricking me. Well, be it so. If the money is
there, I will have it; and if not, I will have my revenge. Yes! I have
it: not only must they be removed, but by degrees all the others too who
assist in bringing the treasure away. Then--but--who's there, Pedro?"
"Yes, signor."
"How long have you been here?"
"But as you spoke, signor; I thought I heard you call."
"You may go--I want nothing."
Pedro departed; but he had been some time in the room, and had overheard
the whole of the commandant's soliloquy.