The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1915-06-01
bered that I'd forgotten lunch. What

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 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 if you only knew it-and it
only lacks the trade mark to be the
real goods. Wen have to pretend that
it is real, but there will be the fun Of
pretending and there will at least be
pleasant cruise and something to talk
about"
81 say, like that" cried Clavering.
1--WE won't tell the others, and We can
get our fun fooling them. You fix it
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
Gin 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 Will
liam de Morgan, being hard pressed,
hod MI, nd
the location Of which was overland
by signs to be seen," the plumber could
be located in q 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. II told you that this
would be worked out right. There is a
little cave on the island, and l know
Just where it is, but it will take lot
: of looking, and We can string it out as
long as We want to. It's Off the coast
: of Nicaragua. It's a great little place
with good springs. | located an old
l 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 happen to be on your
boat, instead of my own. You know
| what mean. You have the paper and
l put up the cash."
Suppose that We do stumble across
O 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
it, by Jove! feel like boy. 1t beats
Just a plain yachting trip all hollow
even If we two do know that it's all a
fake"
| We're children still and we like to
pretend" reminded Dick as he folded
i up the paper. Il can have the Ven
! turer ready in q week"
q "None too soon for me-" cried CLAW
y ering, and eight days later the com
Portable yacht slipped from port.
1t was an uneventful trip to thu
southern ocean. The seas were cain
and the little party spent entire day
on deck.
Dick was almost sorry when at las
the island was reached. 1t was tin,
little dot on the surface of the blu
sea, scarcely ten miles long and no
quite five wide, with black, forbiddinl
rocks instead of the white coral the,
had all expected.
Without generalization two search
ing parties were formed and for
IN week they ranged the island befor
hope began to give place to discoul
agement, and Dick and Claverin
ur agreed thatthe cave should be disco'
*. cred the following day.
On Even with his knowledge, 1t was NO
er easy for Dick to locate the tiny oper
u ing, but at last he got his bearing
Oh and by cutting away the brush tn
a opening at last stood disclosed.
ne With eager EXPLANATIONS the trea!
ure seekers swarmed into the narro'
D" mouth only to be driven back by tn
II swarm of bats and birds that ha
II sought shelter therein. 1t was an hou
ne before they at last stood inside tn
ed cave. 1t was long and narrow, leadin
he directly into the heart Of the sol
b emlne0C0 on Tue iSlduu anu cdSctA
ce they pressed forward.
RS No signs to be seen" gave hint {
Use the location of the treasure and Edit
DIV Barclay pouted.
get Il suppose the silly old pirat
marked something with whitewas
ng and imagined that 1t would last TO
Up ever" she exclaimed petulantly. 1--WE
he have to dig up the entire floor of tt
It cave to find anything and then pc
ire haps We won't find anything"
to A cry from Bess Clavering int
rupted her, and she and Clavering hu
zap ried towards the end of the cay
where Bess and Dick had gone.
wn i've found the treasure, but not
ted Morgans," explained Bess with
ian tense little laugh. We've locate
md something better than gold pieces.
'ou was pretty good at geology at Vassa
mex and unless I'm very much mistake
tell I've located an underground lake
'ou asphalt"
ok, She pointed to the somber wall tn
seemed to be bulging from its plac
lex Dick was eagerly digging at the 81
a face with his machete while Bess CT
ing lected the specimens.
Tub ut has hardened in the cool Of Il
cave" she explained, "but it is Il
In best quality Of asphalt and We CT
an buy the island from the governme