The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-05-25

| WOulu yOu Su66CSt, oio ShoPs
Dick was staggered for moment.
"The company isn't in working order
yet" he began slowly. you see, the
idea is only half formed. l didn'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 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. Well have to pretend that
pretending and there will at least be q
pleasant cruise and something to talk
about"
II say, 1 like that" cried Clavering.
I'VE won't tell the others, and we can
get our fun fooling them. You fix 1t
up, and when you're ready, I'll 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
Sin the know" would have guessed
that a week before the parchment had
lain in the stock Of an art dealer. On
it 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 overland
by signs to be SEEM" the plumber could
3 be located in a certain cave.
: "How about the cave part" de.
manded Clavering. 1T gives 1t the
right touch, you know, but what shall
:. we do when We reach the island and
b find that there is no cave?"
But there is a cave" explained
Dick proudly. II told you that this
would be worked out right. There is a
little cave on the island, and know
Just where 1t is, but it will take a lot
l. of looking, and we can string 1t out al
u long as We want to. It's OF the coast
= of Nicaragua. It's great little place
with good springs. l located an ole
l ship captain who told me all about it.
"Now we need another documen
\ that sets forth that you get half. 20,
know" reminded Clavering. THAT will
explain why happen to be on you
boat, instead of my own. You know
what I mean. You have the paper ant
put up the cash."
Suppose that we do stumble acros
fortune?" asked Dick jokingly.
i 1T goes just the same" was tn
serious response. You're entitled t
half Of anything we find. It's wort
1t, by Jove! feel like boy. 1t beat
just a plain yachting trip all hollow
even II we two do know that it's all
fake"
We're children still and we like t
pretend" reminded Dick as he folde
i up the paper. Il can have the Vel
Y turer ready in week."
81 "None too soon for me-" cried Cla'
p ering, and eight days later the con
Portable yacht slipped from port.
1t was an uneventful trip to tn
southern ocean. The seas were cal
and the little party spent entire da,
ON deck.
Dick was almost sorry when at la
the island was reached. 1t was tir
little dot on the surface Of the bl,
sea, scarcely ten miles long and n
quite five wide, with black, forbiddir
rocks instead of the white coral thu
had all expected.
Without generalization two scare
ing parties were formed and for
on week they ranged the island befo
hope began to give place to discol
agement, and Dick and Claveri
'ur agreed that the cave should be disco
OK. cred the following day.
ION Even with his knowledge, 1t was n
per easy for Dick to locate the tiny op<
au- ing, but at last he got his bearin
lch and by cutting away the brush t
a opening at last stood disclosed.
ing With eager EXPLANATIONS the ire
ure seekers swarmed into the narr'
p," mouth only to be driven back by
Il swarm of bats and birds that b
II sought shelter therein. 1t was an he
me before they at last stood inside
red cave. 1t was long and narrow, leadi
the directly into the heart Of the &C
e eminence ON the island and cage
nee ! they pressed forward.
er's No signs to be seen" gave hint
lose the location of the treasure and Ed
now Barclay pouted.
get 81 suppose the silly old pir
marked something with whitew'
King and imagined that 1t would last
sup ever" she exclaimed petulantly. wv
the have to dig up the entire floor Of
1t cave to find anything and then
aire haps we won't find anything"
to A cry from Bess Clavering In
rupted her. and she and Clavering
cap ried towards the end Of the c
where Bess and Dick had gone.
own 1--WE found the treasure. but not
sted Morgan's," explained Bess with
than tense little laugh. We've locs
and something better than gold pieces
You was pretty good at geology at Vas
ONE and unless I'm very much mistal
tell I've located an underground lake
you asphalt"
leck. She pointed to the somber wall
seemed to be bullying from its pl