Evening star., 1911-08-20


these three what-you ems is buried the
ure. It's plain as that
"Even with the few details you have let escape you,
| said Il could find that spot in my Sleep
Il don't think you could, said Edgar uncomfortably;
but could that he had mentally warned himself to
be less communicative "And' he went on, II am will
ing lead you it, you subscribe to certain condi
tons
Edgars insulting caution had rufed my spirit. "Why
do YOU think you trust me?' asked haughtily.
And then remembering my share of the million dollars,
| added in haste Il accept the conditions
"Of course, you say, has got to take risk
Edgar continued; "but feel sure he said regarding
me doubtfuly, "you would not stoop to open robbery
| thanked him.
aWell, until one is tempted said Edgar, zone never
knows what he might do. And I've simply got to have
one other man. and I've picked on YOU because
thought you could write about it
Il see,7 said, Il to act the historian Of the
expedition
chiefly you for is to dig. Can you dg' he asked
eagerly.
told him could; but that l had rather do almost
anything else.
Il must have one other man. repeated Edgar "a
who is strong enough to dig and strong enough to
resist the temptation to murder me:
The retort easy that let 1t pass. Besides, on
Edgar it would have been wasted
Il think you will do" he said with reluctance. "And
the conditions.
| smiled agrecably.
"You are already sworn to secrecy said Edgar.
"And you agree in every detail to obey me i'm
pctly and to accompany me to certain place, where
guard it, and to convey it wherever decide it IS
safe leave it. Your responsibility IS then at an end
One wear after the discovered you will be
free write the account of the expedition For what
you write, some magazine may pay you. What it pays
you will be your share OF the treasure
- calculated could be less than one-tfth, had
already spent hundred thousand dollars and
was living far beyond my means. had bought farm
with waterfront the Sound, motorboat, and,
I notS1 | preferred,
bles. had at my expense produced play OF
mine that no manager had appreciated and It's name
in electric lights already binding Broadway. |
had purchased Hollander express rifle, real amber
cigar holder private secretary who could play both
ragtne and tennis and fur coat. So Edgars generous
offer left naked. When had again accustomed my
self to the narrow confines of my fat and the jolt of the
surface cars, / asked humbly:
as that all get?
"Why should you expect any more?' demanded Ed
gar. 1T isn't your treasure You wouldn't expect me
to make you present of interest in my mills why
should you get share OF my treasure;' He gazed at
said. at must be hard to think of things to write
about, and I'm giving you subject for nothing. |
thought" he demonstrated, you'd jump at the
chance. 1t isn't every day man can dig tor buried
treasure
"Thats all right | said. "Perhaps can appreciate
that quite well you do But my time has certain
small value and can't leave my work just for excite
ment. We may be weeks, months How long do you
think We"
Behind his eyeglasses Edgar winked reprovingly.
"That is a leading question, he said Il will pay all
your legitimate expenses, transportation, food lodg
ing. 1t won't cost you cent. And you write the
story-with my name left out" he added hastily; at
would hurt my standing in the trade, he explained
"and get paid for it,
| saw sea voyage at Edgars expense l saw palm
trees, coral reefs felt my muscles aching and the
sweat run from my neck and shoulders | drove my
pick into the chest of gold.
1I' go you!a said. We shook hands on it. "When
do we start?" asked
"Now," said Edgar. thought he wished to test me;
he had touched upon Of my pet vanties.
"You can't do that with mel" | said. @My bags are
packed and ready for any place in the wide world
cept the cold places | start this minute. Where
iS he he Snanish