"When I spoke against Walter a few moments ago," said John, "you said he was not to blame. What did you mean by that?"
"During my wanderings, I found parts of the chart, which, I assumed, had been lost by John, and, probably, destroyed by the natives. The part I recovered was of no value to me, but it entirely changed my opinion of Walter."
But Clifford's story left something to be told. It did not explain why Walter tried to avoid meeting Clifford; or why he was so startled upon seeing thep. 230two skulls, or the reason for avoiding the reference to the letter to which his name was signed.
The boys were so intensely interested in his story that they did not notice the entrance of Blakely, who had brought Walter back, but when Clifford saw Blakely there was immediate recognition.
Clifford held out his hand to Walter, as he said: "I did wrong in doubting you. I understand from the statement made by Ta Babeda, that they found the chart the next day, after we met them, and that, of course, clears you."
"But I would like to know," said Harry, "what the other part of the inscription on the skulls means?"
"Do you refer to the sign of plus and the V?"
"Yes."
"When you went into the cave, where you found the copper box, how many chambers did you pass before coming to the large room?"
"I am not sure," he answered, "but I think four."
"Yes; and the case was found in the fifth chamber. The Plus sign indicated the cross-shaped cave, did it not?"
"Yes, and there are several other things which interest me," remarked George, gazing at John, as he continued: "Why should the inscriptions have been marked on the skulls?"
John slowly shook his head, as he looked at Clifford. The latter gazed vacantly into space, as though reflecting, and finally said: "I do not know."
It will be remembered that when Walter entered the Professor's room, where Clifford was lying, hep. 231appeared to be startled at the sight of the skulls. The copper box which held one of them was in the adjoining room.
During the foregoing conversation Walter was mute, nor did he appear interested in the question propounded by George.
"It seems most curious to me that the skull taken from the copper box has the inscription on the right side, whereas the other one has them on the left side," observed Harry.
John and George saw the immediate change in Walter's face while Harry was speaking. His agitation was now plain to all, and the perspiration began to appear on his forehead.
John leaned forward as he said: "Do you know?"
Walter started at the vehemence of the question, and threw back his head, as he answered: "Did you find the copper box?"
"Yes," responded John, with a look of triumph.
Walter's features relaxed, and he seemed to sink down, as he gazed about him with a final look of despair.
"Then the quest is ended!" he muttered.
"What do you mean? Explain!" demanded John.
"When I began the search for the treasure of the caves, I was the owner of the original document written by Juan Guiterez before he died in the Spanish prison. Three attempts had been made to find the island, which contained the secret, and that secret was in the copper box which told of the places and the locations of the other caves. In each case thep. 232quest failed, and all perished. The peculiar significance arises from the fact that the only directions were given on a human skull by Guiterez himself, who declared that two of the skulls would have the inscriptions on the left side, while the one with the cryptic signs on the right side would be accompanied by the descriptions of the locations of all the Caves on the different islands."
"But why should there be three skulls?" asked George, in great eagerness.
"There were three attempts, each resulting in death. The skull is emblematic of death."
"Will you tell us why you tried to avoid Clifford, and were startled at the sight of the skulls?" asked John.
"If, as you say, you have found the copper box, I have no further reason to remain silent. I found one of the skulls,—the others I could not find, one of which I knew must be in the treasure cave. If I had known you found the one in the cave I should not have tried to get away, as I hoped, finally, to find the cave. Since coming here I learned that you had found the third island; I knew of only two, and supposed that the two skulls were from those two, namely, Wonder and Venture Islands."
"But who placed the skulls there?" queried Harry.
"Ah! No one knows that. The Spaniard Guiterez offers no explanation. All the so-calledtreasure chartshave been made from the accounts which he gave, of the vast amount of gold and silver which is hidden in these natural caches. The place where the copper box was deposited is the grandp. 233mausoleum. Only those who know the secret could ever reach the vault. All others would perish."
"The carbonic gas!" exclaimed George.
Walter turned to George, as he said this, but did not comprehend what he meant. It was now evident that Walter had tried to conceal his identity, and thereby hide the secret which would enable him alone to find the vast wealth.
"So the letter which we found concealed in the seat of our boat, was written by one of your companions?" asked Harry.
"Yes."
"This clears up the mysterious things which we have tried to fathom for over two years," said John. "The meaning of the letters is now clear."
"From the time we landed on the island," rejoined the Professor, "we found evidences of white people that we could not follow up, and it is now plain that they were in search for the treasure, so we can now comprehend what the notes meant."
There is but little more to add to the chapter pertaining to the experiences of the boys on the islands. Perhaps, at some time in the future, their work on the new islands will be told. What John and the boys found in the Copper box, the historical sketches and the locations of the treasure islands which were pointed out on the parchments found in the compartment below the skull, were amazing revelations of the days of piratical adventures, when the southern half of the world was one vast carnival of crime, in which gold was the only booty and to obtain which the means were always considered to be justified by the end.
p. 234
Our young friends, during their experiences in southern waters, did their part in bringing to the uneducated savages the blessings of civilization and the great boon of peace. To themselves they brought a store of hard-earned knowledge and a memory of things well done that will last them to the end of their days.
THE END
By ELBERT FISHER
12mo, Cloth. Many Illustrations. 60c. per Volume
This is a series of four books relating the adventures of two boys, who make a trip around the world, working their way as they go. They meet with various peoples having strange habits and customs, and their adventures form a medium for the introduction of much instructive matter relative to the character and industries of the cities and countries through which they pass. A description is given of the native sports of boys in each of the foreign countries through which they travel. The books are illustrated by decorative head and end pieces for each chapter, there being 36 original drawings in each book, all by the author, and four striking halftones.
1. From New York to the Golden Gate, takes in many of the principal points between New York and California, and contains a highly entertaining narrative of the boys' experiences overland and not a little useful information.
2. From San Francisco to Japan, relates the experiences of the two boys at the Panama Exposition, and subsequently their journeyings to Hawaii, Samoa and Japan. The greater portion of their time is spent at sea, and a large amount of interesting information appears throughout the text.
3. From Tokio to Bombay. This book covers their interesting experiences in Japan, followed by sea voyages to the Philippines, Hong-kong and finally to India. Their experiences with the natives cover a field seldom touched upon in juvenile publications, as it relates to the great Hyderabad region of South India.
4. From India to the War Zone, describes their trip toward the Persian Gulf. They go by way of the River Euphrates and pass the supposed site of the Garden of Eden, and manage to connect themselves with a caravan through the Great Syrian Desert. After traversing the Holy Land, where they visit the Dead Sea, they arrive at the Mediterranean port of Joppa, and their experiences thereafter within the war zone are fully described.
A book which treats, in a most practical and fascinating manner all subjects pertaining to the "King of Trades"; showing the care and use of tools; drawing; designing, and the laying out of work; the principles involved in the building of various kinds of structures, and the rudiments of architecture. It contains over two hundred and fifty illustrations made especially for this work, and includes also a complete glossary of the technical terms used in the art. The most comprehensive volume on this subject ever published for boys.
The author has adopted the unique plan of setting forth the fundamental principles in each phase of the science, and practically applying the work in the successive stages. It shows how the knowledge has been developed, and the reasons for the various phenomena, without using technical words so as to bring it within the compass of every boy. It has a complete glossary of terms, and is illustrated with two hundred original drawings.
This book takes the beginner through a comprehensive series of practical shop work, in which the uses of tools, and the structure and handling of shop machinery are set forth; how they are utilized to perform the work, and the manner in which all dimensional work is carried out. Every subject is illustrated, and model building explained. It contains a glossary which comprises a new system of cross references, a feature that will prove a welcome departure in explaining subjects. Fully illustrated.
Price 60 cents per volume
By MABELL S. C. SMITH
This series strikes a new note in the publication of books for girls. Fascinating descriptions of the travels and amusing experiences of our young friends are combined with a fund of information relating their accomplishment of things every girl wishes to know.
In reading the books a girl becomes acquainted with many of the entertaining features of handcraft, elements of cooking, also of swimming, boating and similar pastimes. This information is so imparted as to hold the interest throughout. Many of the subjects treated are illustrated by halftones and line engravings throughout the text.
LIST OF TITLES
Ethel Morton at Chautauqua
Ethel Morton and the Christmas Ship
Ethel Morton's Holidays
Ethel Morton at Rose House
Ethel Morton's Enterprise
Ethel Morton at Sweet Brier Lodge
Price 60 cents per volume; postpaid
1. Phil Bradley's Mountain Boys
2. Phil Bradley at the Wheel
3. Phil Bradley's Shooting Box
4. Phil Bradley's Snow-Shoe Trail
These books describe with interesting detail the experiences of a party of boys among the mountain pines.
They teach the young reader how to protect himself against the elements, what to do and what to avoid, and above all to become self-reliant and manly.
12mo. * * * Cloth.
40 cents per volume; postpaid
The Campfires of the Wolf Patrol
Their first camping experience affords the scouts splendid opportunities to use their recently acquired knowledge in a practical way. Elmer Chenoweth, a lad from the northwest woods, astonishes everyone by his familiarity with camp life. A clean, wholesome story every boy should read.
Woodcraft; or, How a Patrol Leader Made Good
This tale presents many stirring situations in which some of the boys are called upon to exercise all their ingenuity and unselfishness. A story filled with healthful excitement.
Pathfinder; or, The Missing Tenderfoot
Some mysteries are cleared up in a most unexpected way, greatly to the credit of our young friends. A variety of incidents follow fast, one after the other.
Fast Nine; or, a Challenge From Fairfield
They show the same team-work here as when in camp. The description of the final game with the team of a rival town, and the outcome thereof, form a stirring narrative. One of the best baseball stories of recent years.
Great Hike; or, The Pride of The Khaki Troop
After weeks of preparation the scouts start out on their greatest undertaking. Their march takes them far from home, and the good-natured rivalry of the different patrols furnishes many interesting and amusing situations.
Endurance Test; or, How Clear Grit Won the Day
Few stories "get" us more than illustrations of pluck in the face of apparent failure. Our heroes show the stuff they are made of and surprise their most ardent admirers. One of the best stories Captain Douglas has written.
Under Canvas; or, The Hunt for the Cartaret Ghost
It was hard to disbelieve the evidence of their eyes but the boys by the exercise of common-sense solved a mystery which had long puzzled older heads.
Storm-bound; or, a Vacation Among the Snow Drifts
The boys start out on the wrong track, but their scout training comes to the rescue and their experience proves beneficial to all concerned.
Boy Scout Nature Lore to be Found in The Hickory Ridge Boy Scout Series, all illustrated:—
Wild Animals of the United States—Tracking—Trees and Wild Flowers of the United States—Reptiles of the United States—Fishes of the United States—Insects of the United States and Birds of the United States.
Cloth Binding Cover Illustrations in Four Colors 40c. per volume
1.In Camp on the Big Sunflower.2.The Rivals of the Trail.3.The Strange Cabin on Catamount Island.4.Lost in the Great Dismal Swamp.5.With Trapper Jim in the North Woods.6.Caught in a Forest Fire.7.Chums of the Campfire.8.Afloat on the Flood.
By LAWRENCE J. LESLIE.
A series of wholesome stories for boys told in an interesting way and appealing to their love of the open.
Each, 12mo. Cloth. 40 cents per volume
"WON IN THE NINTH"
A Ripping Good Baseball Story by One Who Knows the Game
This book has attained a larger sale than any baseball story ever published.
The narrative deals with the students of a large university and their baseball team, the members of which have names which enable the reader to recognize them as some of the foremost baseball stars of the day before their entrance into the major leagues.
One gains a very clear idea of "inside baseball" stripped of wearisome technicalities. The book is profusely illustrated throughout and contains also a number of plates showing the manner in which Mathewson throws his deceptive curves, together with brief description of each.
Cloth bound 5½ x 7⅝ Price 60c. per volume
Primrose Edition
Printed on fine quality book paper. Separate cover designs in colors.
Daddy's Girl.
A Girl from America.
Sue, a Little Heroine.
The School Queens.
Wild Kitty.
A Sweet Girl Graduate.
A World of Girls.
Polly—A New-Fashioned Girl.
Each, 12mo. Cloth. 40 cents per volume
Mrs. Meade's girls' books never
lose their popularity.
Primrose Edition
Planned for Two or More Persons
By
MISS WINIFRED S. GIBBS
Dietitian and Teacher of Cooking of the New York
Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor
Printed on Fine Quality Book Paper. Cover Design in Colors
ManyCook Books have been published, from time to time, to meet various requirements, or to elucidate certain theories, but very few have been written to meet the needs of the large proportion of our population who are acutely affected by the constantly increasing cost of food products. Notwithstanding that by its valuable suggestions this book helps to reduce the expense of supplying the table, the recipes are so planned that the economies effected thereby are not offset by any lessening in the attractiveness, variety or palatability of the dishes.
Of equal importance are the sections of this work which deal with food values, the treatment of infants and invalids and the proper service of various dishes.
The recipes are planned for two persons, but may readily be adapted for a larger number. The book is replete with illustrations and tables of food compositions—the latter taken from the latest Government statistics.
Cloth Binding Illustrated 40c. per volume, postpaid
SCISSORS BOOK Dolls of All Nations
An original line of art studies printed in full rich colors on high grade paper. This series introduces many novel features of interest, and as the subject matters have been selected with unusual care, the books make a strong appeal not only to the little ones but even to those of riper years.
Size 8¼ x 10¼ inches
Price 15c. per copy
THE NEW YORK BOOK COMPANY147 FOURTH AVENUE NEW YORK