Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-10-30


"I've told you already that Coddy
found It out" Kitwater replied.
Looking over his old records he dis
covered something that put him on
the track. Then I happened to re-
member that, years ago, when I was in
Hanoi, an old man had told me q won
derful story about a treasure cham
Der in . ruined city in the Burmese
jungle. A Frenchman who visited the
place, and had written book about it,
mentions the fact that there is
legend amongst the natives that vast
treasure is buried IN the ruins, but
only one man, so far as we can dis
cover. seems to have taken the trouble
to have looked for IT,"
"But how big are the ruins?"
bigger than London, SO Coddy
says"
Coddy nodded his head in confirma-
ton OF this fact. But still Hayle
seemed incredulous.
And you are going to search all
that area? 1t strikes me that you
will he an old man by the time you
find the treasure, kitwater."
Don't you believe it. We've got
something better to 60 upon than
that. There was an old Chinese trav-
eler who visited this place in the year
what was the year. Goodbye"
Twelve hundred and fifty-seven,"
Codd replied. without hesitation.
well, he describes the glory Of the
place. the wealth of the inha bitants.
and then goes on to tell how the king
took him to the great treasure cham
Der. where he saw such riches as NOR
tai man had never looked upon before"
But that doesn't tell you where the
treasure chamber 's?" argued Hayle.
Perhaps not, but there are other
ways Of finding out; that is. II man
has his wits about him. You've got to
put two and two together if you want
to get on in this world Coddy has
translated It all, and this is what IL
amounts to: When the king had
show. the traveller his treasure, the
latter declared that his eyes were so
blinded by its magnificence that he
could scarcely mount the steps TO the
spot where his majesty gave audience
to his people. In another place it men
tons that when the king administered
Justice he was seated on the throne in
the courtyard Of the Three-headed Els-
plants. Now what we've got TO do is
to find that courtyard, and find it we
will"
But how do you know that the
treasure hasn't been taken away
years ago? Do you think they were
such fools as to leave it behind when
they went elsewhere? Not they!"
Though they were we'll out of ear
shot of the land, and alone upon the
boat, Kitwater looked round him sus-
picously before he answered. Then
pleasant smile played over his face.
1t was as if he were recalling some
happy memory.
How do l know it?" he asked. by
way of preface. If you'll listen for
moment, I'll tell you. II you want
more proof, when I've done, you
must be difficult to please. When
was up at Moulmein six months ago,
l came across . man hadn't met for
several years. He was Frenchman,
who ! knew had spent the most of his
life away back in Burmah. He was
very flush Of money at the time, and
kept throwing out hints, when we
were alone, of a place he knew of
where there was the biggest fortune
on earth. to be had for the mere pick
ing up and carrying away. He had
brought away as much of it as he
could, but he hadn't time to get it all,
before he was chased out by the Chi
nese. who, he said. were strong in
the neighborhood."
Kitwater stopped and rubbed his
hands with chuckle. Dc cidedly the
recollection was a pleasant one.
Well" he continued, ito make .
long story short, I took advantage Of
my opportunity, and got his secret
out of him by well, never
mind how I managed 1t. 1t is sufi-
Gent that / got it. And the conse-
quence is, l know all that is to be
known"
That's all very well. but what be-
know that he isn't back there again
filling his pockets"
II don't think he is" Kitwater re-
piled, slowly. at put me to lot Of
inconvenience, and came just at the
time when l was most anxious to
leave. Besides, it might have meant
trouble" He paused for a nome Mt.
"As matter of fact, they brought it
in suicide during temporary insanity,
brought on by excessive drinking
and that got me out OF the difficulty.
II must have been insanity, l think,
for he had no reason for doing away
with himself. 1t was proved that he
had plenty of money left. What was
more, Coddy gave evidence that, only
the day before, he had told him he
was tired of life"
IIayle looked at both with evident
admiration.
well, you two, taken together.
beat cock-fighting," ne said, enthusi-
nstically. Then he added: But
what about the secret? What did you
get out of him?"
Here it u.s." said Kitwater, taking
an old leather case from his pocket,
and producing from il small piece
of parchment. "There's no writing
upon it, but we have compared it with
another plan that we happen to have,
and find that it squares exactly"
He leaned over Hayle's shoulder
and pointed to q certain portion of