The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-03-21
BY CHARLES GARVICE
iutlfor of ''Just Girl'' "Diana and Destiny" "In Wolfs Clothing" etc.
Copyright, 1909 V George H. Doran Compa

and fury. Vane was the first to move, to speak.
 "It is gone! We have been rob- bed!" he said hoarseiy, but with an unnatural calmness.,
 He took up the lantern, looked steadily at the rifled chests, then turned, as if unconscious of the pres ence of the others, and walked to- wards the chalet. As if all their senses were numbed, and walking like men in 8 dream, Ronald and Smith CTS followed him. He passed the chalet and went straight to the rock let A glance showed them that the earth had been disturbed. The wall let had gone!
 Vane drew a long breath and turn ed away to the chalet. Again they followed him; and Ronald went into the room with him. Smithers sat on the edge of the verandah and got out his pipe. Not one of the men had suggested, or even thought of, pur- suing the unknown thieves who had stolen the treasure; each knew 1t would be useless to attempt to find l them in that pitchy darkness-that long ere this they would have left the island.
 Vane sank into chair and un- fastened his collar as if he were choking, and presently he looked up and said, almost inaudibly:
 'I am sorry, Carew. It's my fault. I had a presentiment-"
 '.No," said Ronald thickly, his face white, his eyes full of remorse. 1.-The fault was mine"
 "Yoursr' cried vane, staring at him.
 "Yes," said Ronald. "It is I who 1 have robbed you-at least, I am the cause.'' .a vane sprang to his feet, and his hand went to his revolver: l Yes; you can shoot if you like. I deserve it, said Ronald. 'Explain!" croke in Vane fiercely. of Cara on the other island. of her father, Lemuel Raven, of his-Ron- ald's-conviction that it was Raven who had been spying on them. had them bury the wallet. There could be no doubt that Raven and his ac- ! complice, the deaf and dumb. man, had stolen a march upon them and secured the treasure. He told the story with many pauses, with agita- l ton, with a poignant remorse; but the effect on Vane was very different from that which Ronald had expect ed. As Ronald's confession proceed ed, Vane grew calmer; he tossed the revolver on the table between them, and presently held out his hand.
 We've both been fools, Carew',' he said. 'I don't know which is the worse. Don't take on, man; there's a kind of fate in these things. Be 1 sides. there was woman in it! And when the woman comes on the scene
 -!" He shrugged his shoulders.
 For moment or two Ronald could not command his voice; then he said "Vane, you're treating me too well What can I say? what can I do? l l fee'-''
 l 'I know what you're feeling" said Vane, with grim laugh "But there is nothing to be done.''
 we can follow them to the is- land," said Ronald
 ''Yes, we can do that" said Vane; but, as he spoke, he shook his head hopelessly. -
 ''We will go at once,' said Ronald with feverish impatience.
 Vane smiled and held up his hand
 'Listen!'' he said. That's the storm; no boat could live in such a sea as must be raging out there. We must wait till tomorrow"
 They sat up for the remainder oi the night, and, as soon as the dawn had broken, they went down to the beach. On their way they glanced al the spot where the treasure had beer
 buried; the ground was smooth again
 Smfthers had filled in the holes. T ''q'hat's a sensible chap of yours,
 was all Vane said
 | The storm was still raging; ths yacht had pulled out into deeper an6 safer water; it would have been i'm
 possible to launch a boat; it wouit Il have been worse than foolhardy tc attempt to sail yacht through chan I nels of which they had no soundings l The wind did not drop until the fol | lowing day; and, immediately the ses was calm enough, the three men wen
 over to the other island
 Il With an aching heart Ronald steer
 ed them to the familiar landing
 place. They climbed the beach; Ron aid flew to the tree; there was nc : letter. They went straight-witl
 watchful eyes and their hands upor
 their revolvers-towards the house
 They came upon it-it was a rougI ; affair, built of logs and planks-an,
 Ronald looked up at the chimney. N,
 smoke was rising from it; there wa Do sound or sight of life rTba don