“Fool’s gold,” interjected Berwick.
“So I thought at first,” responded the professor, “but Brooks said that his father picked up a half dozen nuggets ranging in size from that of a bullet to that of a walnut. He seems, like his son, to have been a secretive sort of a man, for he kept his discovery from his shipmates. From time to time he made visits to the mine as he had opportunity, gathering the nuggets, which he kept concealed about his person until he had accumulated a considerable store, hoping that some time he would be able to make his escape, which, with several of his companions, he was finally able to do.”
“How did he manage to get away?” asked Jo.
“It seems, from the story, that he and some of his shipmates, having procured a small boat, which they secreted at the mountainous end of the island, and stocked with provisions, they set out on a dark and stormy night when there wasless chance of detection. The storm developed into a gale which they ran before, and which drove them many miles, bringing them into the course of trading vessels, one of which a day or so later, picked them up and landed them in a Chilian port. Here Brooks sold a nugget and got money enough to get home. On his return he talked much of the mine, and drew a map of it for his son, who started out in search of it.”
“How did he expect to find it when he didn’t know its location?” questioned Jim.
“He had it figured out something like this. The place where they were picked up by the vessel was about latitude 9 south, longitude 129 west. Now, when they were picked up they had been driving for some thirty-six hours before a southwest wind at not less than fifteen knots an hour. This would make about five hundred and forty miles they had come from the island, which must, therefore, lie somewhere between five or six hundred miles to the southwest.”
“I should think that would be the spot where he would look for it,” said Juarez.
“That is what he did, and so have I,” was the reply, “but we were, neither of us, able to locate it.”
“Do you think it really exists?” asked Jim.
“I am quite certain of it,” answered the professor. “At any rate, I am going to make another attempt, and I want you to go along with me.”
“What do you want with us?” questioned Jim.
“Well,” replied the professor, slowly, “I need some efficient help, and I have had my eye on you boys for some time. I had heard of you, that you were thoroughly trustworthy and could be depended upon in any emergency, and I decided that you were just the kind of companions I wanted. But I may as well tell you right at the start that this is not going to be a picnic party; we are going to have our work cut out for us, and plenty of it, so if you go along you are likely to see some pretty exciting times before we get through.”
“That don’t scare us any,” put in Jo.
“I didn’t think it would,” the professor went on, “and if it turns out as I believe it will, we shall all have all the money we need for the rest of our lives.”
“But why should you take us in?” persisted Jim.
“Why, if we should succeed in finding thetreasure,” the professor explained, “it would be a great temptation to those who learned of it to use any means, fair or foul, to get possession of it. That is one of the reasons I want you. I feel that I can depend upon you through and through.”
“I think you can,” responded Jim quietly, but not the less emphatically. “What we say we are ready to stand by.”
“I am quite sure of it. Now, the proposition I have to make is this: I will finance the expedition, taking all the risk. Now wait”—to Jim, who was about to interrupt. “If we succeed I will take one-half of what we get. Out of my half I will provide for Brook’s family. The other half I will divide, one quarter for you and one quarter to the crew. How does that strike you?”
“That’s fair enough,” agreed the boys.
“Should we fail, I will pay you for your time.”
“Oh, we’ll take our chances on that,” broke in Jo. “We’ll get enough fun out of the trip to pay for that.”
“When do you want to start?” asked Jim.
“I’m ready now. If you are, I think we can get off within a day or two.”
“I would like to go with you,” went on Jim, “but there is something I would like to attend to first.”
“May I ask what that is?” inquired the professor.
Whereupon Jim told him of the seizing of the Sea Eagle, and of the abduction of the Senorita de Cordova.
“Broome!” exclaimed the professor, when Jim had concluded, “is that old rascal mixed up in that?”
“Do you know him?” asked Jim in turn.
“A little,” replied the professor, dryly. “He tried to work off some of his little tricks on me, but I wasn’t to be caught napping. Do you happen to know a particular friend of his, one called Manuel?”
“Ugh!” broke in Berwick. “Don’t speak of that incarnation of wickedness or I shall begin to smell brimstone. I’d rather contend with his satanic majesty, himself.”
The professor made no comment, but asked, “Have you any plans?”
“Nothing definite,” answered Jim, “except toget to the place where the girl is to be returned and see that the bargain is carried out.”
“Good!” agreed the professor. “That is the first step, of course. Now, if you want us, I and my boat are at your service.”
Jim sprang to his feet. “Oh, thank you!” he exclaimed enthusiastically, “we shall be ever indebted.”
“Don’t mention it,” returned the professor. “I have a little score to settle with Broome, myself. I have reason to think he is after me. In some way he has found out about the mine and the map that I have and he is ready to resort to any measures to get possession of it. So you think San Matteo is the place appointed?”
“I feel sure of it.”
“Where are you stopping?” continued the professor.
“At the Commercial Hotel,” replied Jim.
“Well, then we won’t waste any more time. Suppose you meet me at the foot of Market street to-morrow morning at six o’clock. We will then go on board of the Storm King and be ready to take up the chase at once if the emergency arises. It is late now, too late for you to go aboard, so Iwill arrange for Jo and Tom to stay here to-night.” Then to Jim and Juarez he added:
“Good-night, and remember to-morrow it’s six o’clock sharp.”
“Good-night,” responded those addressed. “We’ll be there.”
A room adjoining that occupied by the professor was secured for the boys and their baggage was brought up from the office where it had been temporarily deposited.
It was still lacking a few minutes of the hour named when Jim, Juarez, and Berwick, who did not intend to be left out of the venture, arrived with their handbags at the wharf at the foot of Market street. The professor had not yet arrived. The sun had risen above the hills, and the place was in heavy shadow. Putting down their bags upon the wharf, the boys walked to the water edge and began a discussion of the merits of the boats at anchor in the harbor. They were soon joined by Jo and Tom.
Unobserved, a dwarfish figure stole noiselessly from the shadow, and seizing upon the nearest bag—it was Jim’s—he ran swiftly down the wharf. Not quickly, however, as to escape the watchfulness of Juarez, who, to make up for the dereliction of the previous evening, was especially alert. With a shout of alarm to the others, Juarez set off at once in pursuit of the flying figure, whichhad already disappeared around a corner. Jim and Tom followed more leisurely, depending upon Juarez to run down the culprit. Berwick and Jo remained as a guard over the rest of their baggage.
“What happened?” cried Jo.
“That villain, Manuel,” replied Berwick. “He has made off with Jim’s handbag. He seems to be everywhere at once.”
“Juarez will catch him,” said Jo, confidently.
“I hope so,” returned Berwick, “but an eel has nothing on him for slipperyness.”
And so it proved, for the others came straggling back, one by one, without having found any trace of the Mexican or the bag.
“That’s rather an unauspicious beginning to our trip,” commented Berwick. “Did you have anything of importance in your bag, Jim?”
“Nothing but my clothes,” replied Jim, ruefully. “But it’s bad enough having him carry them off right in front of us. That’s another score I have to settle with him.”
“He will be carrying some of us away, if we aren’t careful,” put in Jo.
“Hallo, look there! What in the name of goodness is that coming?” cried Juarez, indicatinga strange object which was advancing down the wharf.
Seen in the half-light of the morning, it seemed to consist principally of arms and legs which were wildly waving in the air.
“Looks like a big devil fish,” cried Tom. “Better look out, boys.”
But as it came nearer it resolved itself into two figures, one of which, the larger, was carrying the smaller, which latter was squirming and struggling in an effort to escape.
“It’s the Professor!” cried Juarez, “but what the mischief has he got there?”
“That’s it!” cried Jim, joyfully. “He’s got the ‘mischief’ himself. It’s Manuel.”
“Hurrah!” exclaimed Jo and Tom, running forward to meet him. “Where did you get him?”
“You will find your bag back upon the wharf,” explained the professor, when he came near, holding the snapping, snarling object up in the air with a vicelike grip on the waistband of its trousers. “And mine, too,” he added, as the boys started off on a run in the direction indicated.
“I caught this viper sneaking along with a bag that I knew did not belong to him, and that I took to belong to some of you. What do you thinkwe had better do with this thing?” indicating Manuel.
“I think,” observed Berwick, “we had better take it on board with us and put it in a cage like any other wild beast.”
“Not a bad suggestion, that,” agreed the professor. “That’s about the best thing we could do with him.”
But with a sudden twist the wily Mexican slipped from his loose trousers, leaving the garment in the professor’s grasp.
“Hi—stop him!” shouted Jo, making a futile attempt to seize him.
But with an inarticulate snarl of rage, the Mexican made a headlong plunge from the wharf into the water, disappearing from sight.
“Ugh!” exclaimed the professor, holding up the empty trousers. “He’s shed his skin like the snake he is. He had better take them along,” tossing them into the water.
“We will get him when he comes up,” cried Tom.
But, although the boys ran along the string piece of the wharf looking for him to reappear, they saw nothing more of him. An officer in uniform was called and told of the circumstances.After watching for some time they were obliged to conclude that the villainous Mexican had at last met his just desert.
“Well,” remarked Jo, at length, “I guess we have seen the last of him.”
“I sincerely hope so,” returned Berwick, “but that fellow has more lives than a cat.”
“There doesn’t seem to be any use of waiting any longer,” said the professor. “He doesn’t seem to be coming back. There is nothing we can do and we may as well go on.”
By this time the sun was up, and the wharf was beginning to be astir with people. The boatmen were coming and going over the bay, intent on business. Hailing one of the larger boats, which was rowed by two Hawaiians, the professor asked them if they could carry the party out to the yacht.
“Si, senor,” replied one of the rowers. “Take you all; no sink the boat.”
Although the boat sank nearly to the gunwales when they were all on board, and they were uncomfortably crowded, still the water was calm and the trip to the yacht, which was anchored about a quarter of a mile out, was made without any mishap.
“Well, what do you think of my ship?” asked the professor, when they drew up alongside the Storm King.
“She’s as pretty as—as—” began Jo.
“As a picture,” added Tom.
“As a pink,” supplemented Juarez.
“As she can be,” finished Tom.
“Wait until you get on board,” interposed the professor.
“We have been on board,” put in Jim.
“Indeed!” exclaimed the professor. “When?”
“Yesterday,” replied Jim. “Berwick and I called on the captain. We thought perhaps we could secure her for our trip.”
“That expresses your opinion,” said the professor with a laugh. “You wouldn’t have wanted her unless you thought she was pretty good.”
“That’s right,” agreed Jim. “She looked good to me.”
“Good morning, captain,” called the professor to Captain Wilkins, who was standing by the gangway waiting to receive them. “I have brought out some young men who are going to show us how to sail the yacht.”
“Good morning, professor,” replied the captain. “Same to you, gentlemen. They say youcan’t teach an old dog new tricks, but I think it is never too late to learn. If you have any new tricks of seamanship I shall be glad to learn them.”
“That’s only a joke of the professor’s captain,” replied Jim. “All we know is enough to stand watch, and do our trick at the wheel if need be.”
“Well said, lad,” responded the captain, heartily. “Are you going to make a voyage with us?”
“Yes,” replied the professor, “they are booked for the trip. Now, how soon do you think we can get away?”
“Well, now that depends,” replied the captain, rubbing his chin, thoughtfully. “Did you bring the new engineer along with you?”
“The new engineer?” asked the professor. “What do you mean?”
“Don’t you know, sir,” replied the captain, “Mr. Ward has gone? ’Twas day before yesterday he went ashore, and when he came back he had another man with him. Said he had a better job, and was going to leave. Said this other man was going to take his place. Thought he had it all arranged with you.”
“The first I have heard of it,” said the professor.
“I told him I had nothing to do with it,” went on the captain. “If you said it was all right, it was all right.”
“So, we haven’t any engineer,” said the professor. “That’s awkward. I suppose we shall have to lose a lot of time while we hunt up another.”
“Why not Mr. Berwick?” suggested Jim. “He’s a first class engineer, and he wants to go with us anyway.”
“Why, of course,” replied the professor. “Never thought of that. How stupid of me. How is it, Mr. Berwick, will you take the place?”
“Suits me to the dot,” replied the engineer. “Wanted to go along, and glad to be of use.”
“All right, Mr. Berwick. Suppose you take hold at once and look things over.”
“Very well, sir,” replied Berwick. “Lucky I brought my traps along.” Picking up his bag he descended into the engine room followed by Juarez.
“Well, how is it?” inquired the professor, when Berwick came on deck again a little later. “Everything all right?”
“Indeed no,” replied Berwick. “Looks as if somebody had been tampering with the engine.Lot of loose bolts and nuts. If she had been started up there would have been a pretty smash-up. However, I think two or three hours’ work will put it all right.”
“That must be some of Broome’s work, I suppose,” commented the professor. “Bribed the engineer. You see what we have ahead of us, boys. Go ahead and do the best you can, Mr. Berwick. But I suppose we had better have breakfast first. Got anything to eat on board, captain?”
“Fully provisioned, sir,” replied the captain. “I told your steward that you would want breakfast and I think he has it ready.”
“Very well, then,” said the professor. “That seems to be the next thing in order.”
A handsome, and what was more important, a very competent man, the steward proved to be. The professor explained that ever since his early youth Pedro had been in his employ, and his father before him for many years.
“Well, boys,” said the professor, “have you had enough breakfast?”
“I don’t know whether I have had enough or not,” responded Jo. “But I’m afraid I can’t eat any more.”
“That’s bad,” remarked the professor. “I’m afraid there is something wrong with you. Still, if you go on deck, perhaps you will be better by dinner time. But while we are down here you might pick out your staterooms. This is the captain’s room, and this is mine. That is the engineer’s room. But you can take any of the others you want.”
Looking over the rooms about which there was really little choice, Jo and Tom selected one to their liking, and Juarez decided on the invitation of John Berwick to room with him as he was going to act as assistant engineer on the voyage. This left Jim with a cabin to himself.
The boys had but just settled the matter when they were startled by a series of loud and angry exclamations from the professor.
“Now, what do you think of that?” he cried, when the boys rushed into the saloon where he was standing holding up his handbag in which a long slit had been cut with a sharp knife.
“Their audacity passes all bounds!” he went on wrathfully. “They have got it at last.”
“What is lost?” asked Jim.
“The chart, the map of the island,” replied the professor. “I don’t know as it will do any one else much good. Besides the points of the compass it has only mystifying figures on it, but it’s a bad loss for all that.”
“Are you sure it is gone?” asked Jim.
“Well, it isn’t here,” replied the professor. “Fortunately, I can remember the latitude and longitude, which is really the important thing.”
“What was the paper like?” put in Tom.
“It was just a rude chart,” answered the professor. “It was in a flat box. I put it in the box to keep it safe from getting wet or worn out. I got tired of carrying it with me so I put it in the bag last night, not intending the bag should get out of my sight. And I don’t know when it did.”
“Looks as if we had spies all around us,” said Jim.
“It certainly does,” agreed the professor. “But now that we are on the yacht we will be safe.”
“Humph!” muttered Tom, who had just returned to the cabin after a moment’s absence, “I’m not so sure about that, but,” he continued, “was the box anything like this?” He held up to their gaze a thin oblong tin box.
“Why, it looked like that!” exclaimed the professor, taking the box Tom offered to him. “Why, it is it! What are you doing with it?”
“I found it in my bag this morning,” explained Tom. “I thought that it belonged to Jo, and that he had dropped it in by mistake.”
“I suspect that is just what I did in an absent-minded spell this morning,” said the professor. “The joke is on me, boys. Perhaps it is a lucky thing that I did it, for I think now, seeing this slit in my bag that the best thing I can do is to have you take care of it for me.”
“Don’t you think you had better keep it?” protested Jim.
“Not after this experience,” replied the professor, holding up the cut bag. “Besides, I think it will be decidedly safer with you.”
“Very well, then,” replied Jo. “We will do our best to take care of it.”
“I know that,” said the professor.
Jo and Tom spent the morning going over the yacht getting acquainted with its equipment and with the crew. The latter were mostly Hawaiians with one Irishman, an Englishman and the Mexican steward. Juarez was busy down in the engine room with Berwick, and Jim and the professor were in consultation in the cabin over their plans to outwit Broome.
“The Marjorie of Liverpool,” remarked Tom. The speaker was standing on the after deck studying the vessels in the harbor. He read the name he spoke through a pair of binoculars. It was a small steamship anchored not far from the Storm King. They had passed it early in the morning on their way to the yacht, but he had not noticed it particularly until now.
“I wonder where she came from, and where she is going?” went on Tom.
“From Liverpool, I suppose,” replied Jim, who had joined them, “and quite likely she is going back again.”
“Wonder how she got way out here?” continued Tom.
“You are full of wonder to-day,” laughed Jim. “Steamships go anywhere and everywhere. Here comes the captain. We can ask him.”
“What is it you want to know?” inquired the captain, who had overheard Jim’s remark.
“We were just talking about that steamship there, the Marjorie, and speculating as to what she is and what she’s doing here.”
“It’s pretty hard to tell that,” replied the captain, after taking a look through the glasses. “She’s English built and rigged, that’s certain, but I don’t know what she’s doing so far from her home port.”
“She has good lines and looks as though she might have speed,” criticized Jim.
“Ay, ay, lad, ye’re right there,” agreed the captain. “She looks like a cross between a yacht and a trader. I suspect that is what she is, a trader.”
“She seems to have a big crew for a trader,” said Jim, who had been studying the vessel while talking. “And she looks as though she might carry a pretty heavy armament, too.”
“Have you noticed that?” observed the captain. “Ye have a good eye, lad, and a quick mind. I was just thinking the same thing myself. Iwouldn’t wonder if she was doing some contraband trade down the coast. I see she is going out, soon.”
“How do you know?” asked Jo.
“She is getting steam up.”
“So is the Sea Eagle,” exclaimed Tom. “They have started their fires. She must be going out, too.”
“Looks like it,” put in Jo. “There is Broome now, with some of his men.”
Pulling along close under the stern of the Marjorie, there was seen a small boat in which was Captain Broome with his chief subordinates.
“See anything of Manuel in their boat?” asked Jo.
“No,” replied Tom. “He isn’t in the boat. They must have left him behind.”
“He must have been drowned,” said Jo.
“I don’t know about that,” replied Tom, “but it is certain he isn’t in the boat; there are four men besides the captain and on top of their other baggage is a big hamper.”
“How’s the engine, Mr. Berwick?” asked the professor of the engineer, calling down into the engine room.
“All right now, sir,” replied the engineer. “We are just going to get up steam.”
“Very good,” said the professor. “Keep it up, for we may want to start any minute. Keep your eyes on the Sea Eagle, captain, and let us know if she shows signs of getting under way.”
“Ay, ay, sir!” responded the captain.
“Feel any better now, Jo?” asked the professor, with a smile, “it is pretty near time to eat again.”
“I’m all right again now, professor,” responded Jo.
“Better get ready then, for I hear Pedro rattling the dishes down there.”
“I think”—began Tom, when they were down in their staterooms taking a washup before the noon meal.
“That it is time for dinner,” interrupted Jo.
“No, sonny,” replied Tom. “My thoughts are not as your thoughts, always on the gross material, but—” Going to the door, he called Jim into the room. Then, after a look into the saloon, closed the door.
“Hist!” whispered Jo. “The plot thickens.”
“What is it now, Tom?” asked Jim.
“I think”—began Tom, in a low tone.
“You said that before,” interrupted Jo. “But I don’t believe it.”
“That it would be a good plan,” continued Tom, “to hide the chart in some safe place.”
“Not half a bad idea, don’t you know,” drawled Jo, “but where is that safe place?”
“I have an idea,” went on Tom.
“Clutch it before it gets away,” advised Jo.
“That we can make a secret closet where we can put it.”
“That is a good scheme,” agreed Jim, “if—”
“Hear! Hear!” broke in Jo.
“Here, as well as anywhere,” replied Tom.
“What is your plan?” asked Jim.
“I was thinking of making a secret drawer or closet in this cabin.”
“Do you think we could do it?” asked Jo.
“I don’t know,” replied Jim. “We can tell better after we try. The proof of the—”
“Eating is in the pudding,” interrupted Jo.
“Let’s go ahead and do it.”
“Where do you think is a good place to make it?” asked Tom, looking around the room, which was paneled in mahogany. “We might take up a board in the floor.”
“But some one might get at it from underneath,” objected Jo.
“No danger of that,” replied Tom. “Who is going to look for it?”
“Well, if there is no danger of anyone looking for it, what is the use of hiding it?” demanded Jo.
“That’s right,” agreed Jim. “If we are going to do it at all, let’s do it thoroughly. If we can take out one of the panels, we can make a dandy place.”
“That’s the idea,” chimed in Tom.
“I think we can take out one of these panels,” continued Jim, examining the wainscoating carefully, “but we must first get the professor’s permission.”
“We will ask him the first thing after dinner,” cried Tom.
“And there is dinner, now,” said Jo, as the sound of a gong resounded through the air.
The professor was an interesting dinner companion, and even though all felt that serious business was ahead of them, no reference was made thereto. At the conclusion of the meal Jo said:
“Professor Feather—”
“Ingstone,” broke in Jim.
“Haughleigh,” added Tom.
“I’m all broke up,” laughed the professor.
“Can we make a hiding place in one of our staterooms?” asked Jo.
“Why, I suppose so,” replied the professor. “What do you want to do, play hide and go seek?”
“In a way,” laughed Jim. “We want to make a secret place in which to keep the chart.”
“Oh, I see,” interrupted the professor quickly. “By all means.”
“You see, we can—”
“That will do,” returned the professor with another laugh. “If you are going to make a secret place the fewer who know of it the more it is of a secret. Keep it to yourselves.”
“Even from you?”
“From every one,” said the professor emphatically. “If you need any tools or anything get them quietly.”
The brothers lost no time, but at once set about making a place of concealment. Jim, who, of the three had the more genius for mechanics, taking the initiative in the work, studying carefully the artistically constructed paneling to settle upon a plan.
“Do you think it can be done so that it won’t be seen?” asked Tom.
“Yes,” decided Jim. “I think so. By taking off this moulding, we can saw through the edge of the panel, put on leather hinges, and I can make a spring catch. Then replace the moulding and it will never show.”
“That will be easy,” asserted Jo.
“Glad you think so,” retorted Jim. “It will have to be done as nicely as the original work.”
“When are you going to begin?”
“Now,” answered Jim. “Only one can work at a time, so you may as well go on deck. I will start the job. I will take one of the panels near the floor. After I have started, we can take turns at the work. When we begin, we want to finish as soon as possible.”
“All right,” returned Jo. “Let it go.”
When the others had gone, Jim secured from the engineer such tools as he needed, and returning to his room, closed the door. He selected a panel, and was about to take off the molding when he heard some one moving in the cabin. Whistling carelessly he opened the door of his room, but there was no one near. The steward Pedro, was busily employed at the far end ofthe room, and the mate was just entering the cabin.
“Strange,” mused Jim. “There doesn’t seem to be anyone acting suspiciously. I was sure, though, that there was some one near the door just now.” He then called to Jo, and arranged that he should stay in the cabin on guard.
Jim returned to his task, and with infinite care removed the molding from the panel. Then he called Tom below, and working alternately, in a short time they had made the secret opening to the compartment. As it was between the wall of the stateroom and the planking of the vessel, and being inaccessible from any other point, it seemed absolutely safe. The work under Jim’s direction had been so deftly done that it could not be detected. It was opened by pressing a spring made of wire and placed in an adjoining panel.
Fastening the box containing the chart with a strong cord, it was lowered into the aperture and the cord fastened to a hook at one side of the opening.
“There,” said Jo, when the box had been lowered, and the place closed. “It will take more than a wizard to find that.”
“It looks that way,” agreed Tom, “but—”
“Oh, you’re a regular goat with your buts,” cried Jo. “What is the matter with it?”
“Nothing,” said Tom. “It is all right, but some people can see through a stone wall.”
“Of course they can if it has holes in it, but there ain’t any holes in this.”
This task ended, they went on deck, where they found the professor and the captain intently watching the Sea Eagle, which had steam up and seemed to be about to get under way.
“I was just going to call you,” said the professor. “I think that the next act is about to begin.”
“Good!” cried Jim. “Let’s hope they will find something doing that is not down on the program.”
“Isn’t it rather late to start?” asked Berwick, who had come out of the engine-room, leaving Juarez in charge.
“Not if you are ready,” was the professor’s answer.
“I suppose they think they can slip away from us in the dark,” chuckled Jim.
“It will be something of a surprise if they find us at the Bay when they come,” said Jo.
“Engine all right, Mr. Berwick?” asked the professor.
“Working splendidly,” replied Berwick.
“Very well, then,” replied the professor, “we will get off at once. I see that the Sea Eagle is going to start. Will you give the word, captain?”
The captain passed the order to the boatswain, and an instant later, the crew striking into a chant began to wind up the anchor chain, and in a few moments came the call:
“Anchor apeak, sir!”
“Anchor’s fast!” called the boatswain.
“Ready at the wheel,” directed the captain from the bridge, where he was standing with the professor. The captain rang the bell in the engine room, the propeller revolved, slowly at first, then more quickly, and the Storm King, gathering momentum, was headed through the channel’s mouth for the open sea. The voyage had begun. Anticipations and hopes ran high. What would the outcome be?
“My, but it is good to get the smell of the salt again,” cried Tom.
He and Jo were standing in the bow of the boat, taking in long breaths of the salt air whichblew in their faces. The spray from the waves, as they curled away from the bow, dashed over them.
“And there is better still to come,” added Jo.
“Why, here comes the Marjorie,” cried Tom. “We are all moving out at once.”
The party on board the Storm King had been so much interested in getting under way and in watching the Sea Eagle, that they had forgotten the other vessel until Tom had noticed it following in their wake about a mile behind. Gaining the open sea, much to the surprise of those on board the Storm King, the Sea Eagle was headed directly to the north under full speed, the heavy volume of smoke from her funnel trailing behind like a cloud.
It was true that the Marjorie was following in the wake of the other ships, and some word respecting her mission will be of interest to the reader.
Our scene is once more the office of that legal adviser of unsavory reputation, to whom earlier reference has been made.
“I have some work for you to do, Captain Beauchamp.”
The lawyer leaned back in his revolving chair and watched the other man with coldly critical eyes.
“Ah’m glad teh hear it, suh,” replied the other in a soft southern drawl.
The two men were sitting in the inner sanctum of Attorney Reynolds’ office. Unobserved, there was lying in a half opened drawer of the desk, and within easy reach of his hand a fully loaded revolver. There were but few of his clientsthat the lawyer received with the drawer closed.
“Ah, what is it like?” the captain went on, after a short pause, shifting his position to a more easy one.
The captain was tall and slender, with a habitual slowness of movement that could be changed on occasion to a tiger-like celerity. His face was thin, with sharply cut features, and dusky brown in color. His eyes were black and deeply set beneath heavy black eyebrows, and a long, sweeping, black moustache hid a thin straight-lipped mouth.
“Do you know the Marjorie?” went on the lawyer.
“Ah regret ah have not the pleasure of the lady’s acquaintance,” drawled the captain.
“Formerly the Mercury, of nowhere in particular,” added the lawyer.
The other man started up with a sudden interest.
“What about her?” he asked.
“I asked if you knew her,” the lawyer went on.
“Ah reckon ah do,” replied the captain with a sigh. “Ah never sailed a better boat, suh!”
“How would you like to sail her again?”
The captain started up eagerly, and then sankback again. “Ah reckon there’s no such luck for me.”
“There may be,” returned the lawyer, with emphasis on the may.
“What is it?” demanded the other quickly.
“I have a bit of work I want done,” said the lawyer slowly. “If you do it and do it right, the command of the Marjorie is yours.”
“Ah’m yoh man,” answered the captain. “What is it?”
“Nothing very difficult. Do you know the Senor de Cordova?”
“No. Never heard of him. Who is he?”
“A very wealthy Mexican, the owner of a big sugar plantation in Cuba.”
“Ah see. Yoh want me to capture him and hold him foh ransom?”
“You are half right,” replied the lawyer. “Listen. Five days ago, his daughter, the Senorita Marie, was captured by Bill Broome. Within the next two or three days she will be surrendered upon the payment of five thousand dollars.”
“And Ah’m to crap the five thousand?”
“No, wait. The money is to be paid over at Mendola.”
“Ah know the place, on San Matteo Bay.”
“That’s it. Now, I want you to pick up the Senor and his daughter and take them on board the Marjorie—”
“What is yoh plan?”
“With a few men of your own choosing you will take the San Matteo trail and meet them as they come back. It should be no great thing to take them.”
“Ah reckon not. And what am ah to do with them?”
“Take them on the Marjorie.”
“And then?”
“That is for you to decide,” replied the lawyer. “Whatever you like. All that is desired is that they do not come back. You understand?”
“Perfectly. Yoh can be shuah they won’t trouble anyone any mo’.”
“Oh, they don’t trouble me any,” responded the lawyer. “This is a government matter. He is shipping guns and ammunition into Cuba. We represent the Cuban revolutionists.”
“Ah see,” the captain laughed. “Yoh represent the government.” He was about to say more but thought better of it, but his thought was—the government is looking for that sugar plantation.
“If you do this and make no blunder, the Marjorie may be yours.”
“So,” mused the captain. “The plantation is bigger than I thought.”
“She is fully provisioned,” went on the lawyer, “and the old armament is all aboard, stowed away in the hold. You can pick up a crew I suppose?”
“Ah reckon ah can, if any of the old boys are around. Ah’ll take a look down around the Barbary coast.”
“Then you understand the first thing you have to do?”
“Ah reckon ah do.”
“Now, do you know Professor Featheringstone—?”
“Never mind the rest,” the captain broke in. “Yoh mean a mining sharp that was down in the South Seas?”
“That’s the man. Broome says that he has a chart of a treasure island which lies down that way, and he is going down to locate it.”
“Broome is?”
“No, the professor. Broome has been trying to get hold of the chart, but hasn’t been able. Now, the professor is going out to search for thetreasure in the Storm King. He has a lot of boys, the Frontier Boys, they call them.”
“Ah have heard of them,” said the captain, thoughtfully.
“Perhaps,” suggested the lawyer, “after you have captured the senor, you might follow the Storm King and get the chart.”
“Ah see,” returned the captain, “but,” shaking his head, “that will be difficult.”
“Not so difficult when you know the arrangements made. There will be on board the Storm King a friend of yours. He is to secure, if he can, the chart. All the particulars of the arrangement you will find in this letter. Read it carefully and follow out every detail.”
“Anything more?”
“Yes. Here is the contract. You will read carefully and sign.”
The captain laughed, grasping without hesitation a pen. He read not a word, but laboriously penned his name at the point indicated.
“And now?” he said.
“That is all. Here is an order to Samson & Co., to turn the ship over to you. A prosperous future to you, captain.”
“And to yoh, suh.”
The two men looked each other in the face for a moment, then the captain silently took his departure.
On leaving the lawyer’s office, Captain Beauchamp went at once to the office of Samson & Co., where, on presentation of the order, the Marjorie was turned over to him. Thence to the Barbary coast, where he had little difficulty in picking up the crew he needed, including a man of his own type as mate. These he sent on board at once. The engineer was ordered to get everything in readiness for immediate departure. To the mate he gave directions that on the following afternoon he should set out for Playys, a small harbor near San Matteo Bay, and there await his coming.
Selecting two of the crew upon whom he could rely, the captain hired a team of horses and a driver and set out upon the road to San Matteo. They traveled without incident, stopping over night at a hotel on the way, until they came within about a mile of San Matteo. Here the driver with his horses was sent back, they proceeding the rest of the way on foot.
San Matteo Bay is a point at which it will be seen many interests are centering.
“I thought you said that the rendezvous was somewhere in the South,” drawled Berwick.
He was standing with Jim and the professor on the afterdeck of the Storm King, watching away in the north the fast disappearing Sea Eagle.
“So I did, and so it is,” answered Jim stoutly. “That heading to the north is only a ruse on Broome’s part to lead us in the wrong direction.”
“Hope you are right, but—” returned Berwick, leaving the sentence significantly unfinished. “I am going down to the engine-room again. Let me know if anything new transpires.”
“Which way shall I lay our course, sir?” asked the captain, coming up to where the others were standing.
The professor, before replying, looked at Jim inquiringly.
“To the South!” insisted Jim.
“South it is then,” directed the professor.
“South it is,” answered the captain, going back to the bridge.
“We will keep on that course until morning,” added the professor. “And as there is a fair breeze blowing we will proceed under sail. Ask Mr. Berwick to bank the fires in the boiler.”
It was now dusk. The stars were showing in the sky, and the lights of the Sea Eagle were lost in the mist on the horizon.
For awhile the voyagers sat around on the deck listening to the professor’s stories of his experiences in the South Seas, but it had been a long and arduous day and they soon began to grow weary.
“I think,” began Tom, in a pause in the talk, suppressing a yawn. “I think I shall turn in until time for my watch.” It had been arranged that some one of the four should always be on deck.
“A very sensible idea,” agreed the professor; “I think we will all be better for a good night’s rest.”
Without incident of note, all through the night the Storm King sped on her way south.
The party were all on deck early the next morning. It seemed on looking around that they were alone on the wide sweep of water. Way off to the west the sails of a vessel showed white likethe wings of a bird on the horizon, and far away to the north was a blur from the smoke of a steamer.
It was well along in the morning when the bold headline of the cliff that marked the entrance to San Matteo Bay came into view, and it was middle afternoon when the yacht glided into the bay and sought an anchorage.
“Broome,” said the captain, “knows this harbor as he knows his cabin, but I am not familiar with any part except that near the entrance. It’s full of rocks farther in, and I will anchor under the lea of these northern cliffs where I know there is sufficient depth of water.”
The harbor covered an area of several square miles, and there was to be seen only one other vessel, a small lugger which lay close to the lower end of the bay.
“Well,” remarked Berwick, looking about the harbor. “Our piratical friend Broome doesn’t seem to have kept the appointment you made for him, Jim.”
“Not yet,” replied Jim, “but there is still time enough.”
“And you still hold to the opinion this is the place?” asked the professor.
“I may be mistaken,” replied Jim, “but I don’t believe I am. In any case the morning will determine. I am for going ashore then, and will investigate.”
Watches were set for the night, and for each interval of two hours one of the boys was on duty. Tom was on deck during the darkest period between two and four, and shortly before the latter hour he noted at a distance, although he could not see the ship, the noise of machinery, and felt sure that a newcomer had entered the harbor.
None were surprised at early dawn to observe the Sea Eagle riding quietly at anchor well toward the inner shore of the harbor, and some two and one-half miles distant.
Alongside of the Sea Eagle was a boat of nondescript appearance, the one they had seen the night before, and it was evident that the masters of the two ships had business of importance in hand.
“By Jove, old fellow,” cried Berwick, addressing Jim, “you were right after all. It is her, all right. We had better be getting ready.”
“Better go fully armed,” advised the professor. “You know that they are a pretty tough lot.”
“Tough enough,” agreed Berwick, “but I think we can take care of ourselves. I am not afraid to tackle anyone except that fiend of a Mexican. He is so little and slippery that I never feel quite safe when he is around.”
“I think we have seen the last of him,” put in Tom.
“Perhaps,” doubted Berwick, “but I don’t believe it. He’s got more lives than a score of cats.”
“Will you need any help from the crew or myself?” asked the professor.
“No,” replied Jim, “I think we can take care of the situation, and beside,” he laughed, “someone will have to look after this yacht or Broome will be getting away with her.”
“He will have a jolly good time doing it,” asserted the professor. “By the way, Mr. Berwick, you might attach a hose to the boiler so we can give them a warm reception if they try to come on board.”
“What are your plans, Jim,” the professor asked.
“First and foremost to see that the compact for the surrender of their prisoner, the Senorita, is carried out. Beyond that I must be guided by circumstances.”
“While Captain Broome is ashore with his men may be your opportunity to get back your ship.”
“I have that in mind, but any move now before she is free would add to the peril of the young girl.”
While they had been talking, the long-boat had been lowered and was now alongside the gangway.
“All aboard,” directed Jim.
Each member of the party was armed with a rifle and a revolver. It took but a moment for the five to get into the boat. Jim and Juarez took the oars.
“Where are you going to land, Jim,” asked Berwick, who had taken the tiller. “It won’t do to venture very close to the Sea Eagle.”
“The first point where we can find a landing place on the north shore. They will hardly see us at this distance.”
“Just over here is a good place,” suggested Tom, indicating a break in the rocky cliff where the land sloped down to the water.
It was only a short pull to the shore, and ten minutes later the boat was run up on a sandy beach, and the comrades disembarked. Makingthe painter fast to a large rock, the party, under the lead of Jim, set out for the other end of the harbor.
It was slow moving through the tangled underbrush, and nearly two hours were consumed in a roundabout trip which brought them to a point, where, themselves unobserved, a close and distinct view of the Sea Eagle and the lugger was obtainable.
Everyone on board the two boats was busily engaged in the task of transferring from the lugger’s hold numerous boxes, cases and casks, which were being stored aboard the Sea Eagle.
Berwick clutched Jim’s arm. “See,” he gasped, “on the afterdeck! What did I tell you?”
“Manuel,” muttered Jim, with almost a shudder.
“It means trouble,” grumbled Berwick.
“Nonsense,” responded Jim. But there was lacking the usual tone of assurance in his voice. He looked at his brothers and Juarez. No one spoke. All seemed imbued with the same feeling of inexpressible nervous concern. Was it a foreboding of some impending danger?
Very silently now the party pushed on, and a little later they were able to get a good view ofthe stretch of land occupying the space between the water’s edge and the foot hills, which were a full mile away.
It was a level plain with a few large eucalyptus trees of considerable growth clustered a short distance from the shore.
One particularly large tree of the group attracted Jim’s attention, and indicating this one, he announced:
“That is where the meeting will be held.”
The others looked at him in astonishment. To them the trees all looked alike.
“How do you know?” they chorused.
“See the birds flying about?” There were flying through the air a number of birds. Occasionally some of them lit for an interval, but never upon the tree Jim had pointed out.
“But what of that?” asked Tom.
“There is some one in that tree,” explained Jim. “That is why, as you will notice, the birds alight on the other trees, but never upon that one.”
Observing for a continuous period the actions of the birds their maneuvers seemed to confirm Jim’s theory.
“This then,” determined Jim, “is our place of observation when it comes to the surrendering ofthe Senorita and the paying of the ransom. We cannot be seen here, but can get quickly into action and upon the scene if there is need.”
“We have the place of ambush,” said Berwick, “and the next thing to find out, if we can, is, when the villains are to complete the transaction.”
“For that purpose I am going to attempt to hunt out the senor, and try to secure, if possible, an interview with him.”
Jim had noticed that a faintly marked trail led inland from the shore, and a short way up the nearest hill was seen a low bungalow with out-buildings which Jim concluded was a way-house or inn, and the likely stopping place of the Senor.
“What are we to do?” asked Tom.
“You four remain here on guard and fire two shots in quick succession if I am wanted.”
Saying this, Jim strode away in the direction of the foot hills, but sheltered the while from observation by the forest and underbrush.
It was as Jim surmised. On the veranda of the inn sat the senor intently reading a book. As Jim approached, no other person was in sight.
“Buena diaz, Senor,” called Jim.
Instantly the Senor sprang to his feet, observingJim for the first time and facing him with a stern, uncompromising look.
“So you are concerned in this evil venture, you—”
“On the contrary,” broke in Jim, himself greatly surprised. “I have come to help you.”
“I have no need of help,” asserted the Senor, unbending not the least, suspicion in his voice.
Jim was staggered for a moment and at a loss for words. Here was an obstacle he had not thought of. Finally he ventured the inquiry:—
“You have not, however, recovered your daughter, the Senorita?”
“No.”
“And until you do, I assure you, there is grave danger.”
Something in Jim’s tones seemed to impress the Senor with his sincerity, and his future speech indicated the return of confidence.
“My daughter is abducted. By whom, I know not. How did you know of this?”
“Just by chance,” replied Jim. “But tell me about the capture?”
“But I know nothing,” protested the Senor. “She went out and came not back. Then I got word that these men,—these—” the Senorstopped. “They warned me to say nothing or that they would kill her.”
“Unless you paid them so much money,” added Jim.
“And you know that, too. It was much—five thousand dollars—but that is nothing if I have my daughter safe again. You think they will come?”
“I think they will try to get the reward,” said Jim, cautiously.
“And if they do not come, you will help me find her?” the Senor asked, looking into Jim’s face.
“Assuredly,” responded Jim. “But tell me about the arrangements you have made.”
The Senor glanced about, then walked with Jim a little distance from the inn. There was no apparent need for the precaution, for there was no one to be seen about the place.
“At five o’clock to-day, at an appointed spot, a tree below here, I am to be met by someone who will receive the money.”
“Yes,” said Jim, “and you already have your men perched in the branches of the tree.”
The Senor made an exclamation of intense
“It is the large eucalyptus on the margin of the grove,” continued Jim.
“Yes. Yes. You seem to know all.”
“All I must know to aid you effectively,” said Jim, earnestly. “You speak about the money, but your daughter, what of her?”
“That is arranged. She is to be seen by me before the money is given up. She is to be near at hand. I am to see her, it is promised, sitting in a small boat near the shore, and in the care of a good woman who has been her companion.”
Jim could not restrain a laugh. The idea of applying any such word as “good woman” to the virago on board the Sea Eagle.
“Captain Broome’s sister?” suggested Jim, inquiringly.
“Captain Broome’s sister,” repeated the Senor. “It is not possible. The captain is a comrade, a friend, engaged by me to carry arms and armament to my confreres in Cuba. Ah, what am I saying to you, James? My secret, in my anxiety for my daughter, my secret I have told, you must not repeat or disclose.”
“Your secret is safe, Senor, but your daughter is on board the Sea Eagle now, and Broome, whatever he may be, is not to be trusted.”
“I am amazed. It is true the Sea Eagle is in the harbor. So I was told by the innkeeper this morning. But I knew for what purpose, and I was glad to think that someone was near on whom I could rely in case of need. Then I have my trusted man, as you surmised, in the tree to give aid if called upon. But how know you all and so many of these things?”
“Perhaps I know more. You arranged all the plans through a certain lawyer in San Francisco?”
“Yes. Yes.”
“And he sold you out.”
“What do you mean?”
“That he plotted with Broome to get your daughter into his hands, that they might wring another five thousand out of you.”
“How dare they!” He thought a few moments, his face livid with suppressed rage. Then he continued, “They probably counted on my intense interest in Cuban affairs, of which I told you, to save themselves. But they are mistaken. I will kill them both.”
“Just now,” interrupted Jim, “we must attend to the business in hand.”
“I put the matter in your control.”
“At the hour named,” suggested Jim, “do yougo to the appointed place. I will be in hiding near at hand with the others of my party. There will be five of us.”
“And what am I to do?”
“Do exactly as you have planned. Do not, I beg of you, vary one iota. Let your man in the tree know that he must be ready for quick action.”
“You have ever my thanks!” said the Senor.
Very carefully, Jim went over in anticipation every move of the arrangement. When about to take leave, the Senor wrung his hand expressing his gratitude and they parted. Jim rejoined his party and found them eating the lunch they had brought with them from the ship.
During the afternoon Jim scouted around the country to the north of them with a result that had much bearing upon the future, but he was on hand with the others long before the appointed hour.