If he pulled through, he was
to pay me in some other way; but if he died I was to keep the
document. About a month ago he died, and I examined the paper. It
purports to tell where there is buried a pirate's treasure. And,"
added Edgar, gazing at me severely and as though he challenged me
to contradict him, I intend to dig for it!"
Had he told me he contemplated crossing the Rocky Mountains in a
Baby Wright, or leading a cotillon, I could not have been more
astonished. I am afraid I laughed aloud.
"You!" I exclaimed. "Search for buried treasure?"
My tone visibly annoyed him. Even the eye-glasses radiated
disapproval.
"I see nothing amusing in the idea," Edgar protested coldly. "It is
a plain business proposition. I find the outlay will be small, and
if I am successful the returns should be large; at a rough estimate
about one million dollars."
Even to-day, no true American, at the thought of one million
dollars, can remain covered. His letter to me had said, "for our
mutual benefit." I became respectful and polite, I might even say
abject. After all, the ties that bind us in those dear old college
days are not lightly to be disregarded.
"If I can be of any service to you, Edgar, old man," I assured him
heartily, "if I can help you find it, you know I shall be only too
happy." With regret I observed that my generous offer did not seem
to deeply move him.
"I came to you in this matter," he continued stiffly, "because you
seemed to be the sort of person who would be interested in a search
for buried treasure.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25