The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-04-29

lQe6 Ii only n0l1 formed. ! 0l0n't sup
pose that should find client imme-
diately but-what do you say to a
hunt for buried treasurer" he added
as his eyes fell upon the evening pa
per that he had laid beside his plate
when the oysters had been brought
ITS just the time Of year for a cruise
in southern waters. Form q little
party. and I'll come to you with some
charts that Sir William de Morgan or
one Of those pirate chaps left. can
get one done by that man who makes
fake family trees for the recently ar
rived. I've seen some of his work-so
have you II you only knew it-and 1t
only lacks the trade mark to be the
real goods. We'll have to pretend that
1t IL real. but there will be the fun Of
pretending and there will at least be q
pleasant cruise and something to talk
about"
II say. l like that" cried Clavering.
I'VE won't tell the others, and We can
get our fun fooling them. You nx it
up. and when you're ready. Ill sign
the check"
A few days later he sought Claver.
Ing bearing a masterpiece Of forgery.
The parchment was old and stained.
1t was worn ON the edges and patched
here and there with bits Of cloth and
paper Of other texture. No one not
"in the know" would have guessed
that week before the parchment had
lain in the stock Of an art dealer. On
1t was set forth the fact that Sir VIII
liam de Morgan, being hard pressed,
had hidden his plumber on an island.
the location Of which was given-"and
by signs to be seen." the plumber could
be located in certain cave.
"How about the cave part?" de-
manded Clavering. ut gives 1t the
right touch. you know. but what shall
We do when We reach the island and
find that there is no cave?"
But there Is a cave" explained
Dick proudly Il told you that this
would be worked out right. There is a
little cave on the island. and know
, just where It is, but 1t will take lot
Of looking. and we can string 1t out as
AOA6 % VIC want ". II OA LILO COdbt
Of Nicaragua. It's a great little place
with good springs. l located an old
ship captain who told me all about it."
Nov we need another document
that sets forth that you get half. you
know" reminded Clavering. THAT will
explain why l happen to be on your
boat. instead Of my own. You know
what l mean. You have the paper and
put up the cash."
Suppose that We do stumble across
fortune?" asked Dick jokingly.
1T goes just the same" was the
serious response. You're entitled to
half Of anything we find. It's worth
1t. by Jove! l feel like boy. 1t beats
just plain yachting trip all hollow.
even II we two do know that it's all a
fake"
We're children still and We like to
pretend" reminded Dick 40 he folded
up the paper. Il can have the Ven
turer ready in . week." "
None too soon for me-" cried CLAW
ering. and eight days later the COM
Portable yacht slipped from port.
1t was an uneventful trip to the
southern ocean. Tho seas were calm
and the little party spent entire days
ON deck.
Dick was almost sorry when at last
the island was reached. 1t was tiny
little dot ON the surface Of the blue
sea. scarcely ten miles long and not
quite five wide. with black. forbidding
rocks instead Of the white coral they
had all expected.
Without generalization two search
ing parties were formed and for a
week they ranged the island before
hope began to give place to discour-
agement, and Dick and Clavering
agreed that the cave should be discov-
cred the following day.
Even with his knowledge. 1t was not
easy for Dick to locate the tiny open
ing, but at last he got his bearings
and by cutting away the brush the
opening at last stood disclosed.
With eager exclamations the treas
ure seekers swarmed into the narrow
mouth only to be driven back by the
swarm Of bats and birds that had
sought shelter therein. 1t was an hour
before they at last stood inside the
cave. It was long and narrow, leading
directly into the heart Of the sole
eminence ON the island and eagerly
they pressed forward.
No signs to be seen" gave hint Of
the location of the treasure and Edith
Barclay pouted.
II suppose the silly old pirate
marked something with whitewash
and imagined that It would last for
ever" she exclaimed petulantly. wen
have to dig up the entire floor Of the
cave to ind anything and then per.
haps We won't find anything"
A cry from Bess Clavering inter
rupted her. and she and Clavering hur.
ried towards the end of the cave
where Bess and Dick had gone.
I've found the treasure. but not de
Morgan's." explained Bess with q
tense little laugh. We've located
something better than gold pieces.
was pretty good at geology at Vassar.
and unless I'm very much mistakeA,
I've located an underground lake Of
asphalt"
She pointed to the somber wall that
seemed to Be bulging from its place.
Dick was eagerly digging at the sur.
face with his machets while Bess col.
lsctsd the specimens.
1T has hardened In the cool Of the
cave" she explained. but It IL the
best quality Of asphalt and We can
buy the island from the government