San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1889-03-25
what you have told me, it is very easy to SCI

what you have told me, it is very easy to se
it all"
| did not know what to think of Mr. Ham.
mond's GOODNESS in the matter. Was it all
feigned; or was l dreaminga / began to
doubt that had seen the gardener, even; yet
there was his likeness in my hand and here
was the other man had seen, sitting before
me. Perhaps there might be some reason
why Mr. Hammond wished these jewels to
disappear, and perhaps, after having used
his gardener to secrete them, be had quietly
sent him away, knowing where to find him
when he wished.
by the way, Mr.. Brainard, do you think
you could go to that spot in the woods?'
Eyes indeed; | am familiar with every
many times at that very place If you like,
| will show you just where it is"
"The very thing was about to request II
not too great tax on your time and kind
ness, | would like to have you SO with me,
and show me where the rogues buried my
jewels, Ali Mr.. Brainard, you do not know
how much feel the loss of those. No one
but collector can appreciate that part of it. "
His eyes fairly sparkled with enthusiasm as
he spoke of his collection and tried to make
me understand that the beauty and rarity
which his specimens possessed were seldom
equaled even in public collections
"Of course" said he, there will be no
chance Of recovering anything; but you know
we might find some clew at the spot where
the things were buried which would lead to
the apprehension of the robbers. Can we
drive theTe?"
No; the shortest and best way, as it seems
to me, is to take boat and drop down the
river to the nearest point and walk from
there"
We did so Immediately, and when we ar
rived at the place where l intended to
leave the boat Mr. Hammond exclaimed:
why, this is the very spot where the boat
was found when we were searching for the
gardener! 1t was the finding of the boat
which led to the theory that John had come
down here to battle, had been taken with
cramps, and drowned / have not favored
that theory at all John was not the sort of
man to be drowned while swimming"
| was almost persuaded by the mans man,
ner and his evident willingness 10 60 to the
place that he was innocent Of deeetA
81 am afraid this mssAs that you will never
see your collection again, Mr. Hammond"
said 1.-THE disappearance Of the gardener
and the finding Of the boat hors are proof
enough to my mind that he came here and
dug up the treasure and went OF with it."
"Of course, of course; | doat expect 10
end anything hero; but We may find sleu"
When we arrived at the opening in the
woods and saw the bowlder on which had
seen Mr. Hammond sitting tia. day, the
scene Of a month ago came back 20 wildly
that again | felt sure that this was the man
whom saw. could not understand his self
possession Was he doing all this for q blind,
He looked with much interest when | point
ed out to him the top Of my observatory
just peeping over the trees, in tbs distance,
and said:
How fortunate that you were studying
sun spots that day, Mr. Brainard. but for
that it would all have been a mystery still"
Then turning to the rock, he continued;
"ls this the placer
yes" said |, somewhat surprised that he
should have asked. for | was very sure had
not told where the trunk was buried.
Trying not to show that was surprised, !
said:
LET US look this place over carefully b.
fore disturbing any of the leaves or earth"
We did 50, and found nothing
Now we will see Il the trunk has been
dug up | think if it had been the place
would not have been so carefully recovered"
then looked for the tools under the rock
and found them without difficulty went
to work Immediately, and began to scratch
away the leaves, preparatory to digging,
when saw something glitter among the
leaves
Hal A clewI" exclaimed, stopping to
pick it up.
1t was an old fashioned watch key-a large
Pyal ,Eiece q chalcadonv- sat IN cold hold.