Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-12-01

THE bungalow was of construction rather
unusual in those parts Beneath the hard
wood of the floor there was apparently solid
stone and Anselmis hammer knocked futilely
for some time
SCOT a chiSel or croWbar anywhere around
here?" he snapped.
The trader shook his head,
"You might find Screwdriver in the cup
board over there" he suggested, and Anselm
crossed to the indicated place and wrenched
open the door. A few moments of feverish
cropping and he found screwdriver, with which
he proceeded to pry up one of the floor boards.
the captain and mate watching him intently.
The board had been wen laid and it was
nearly half an hour before, with an excIama-
ton of triumph. AnSelm tore it free and tossed
lt aside. From the captain and the mate there
came simultaneous quick breath In small
cavity which the board had covered there lay
q rusted, but still sound, japanned tin box.
Anselm lifted it out and carried it to the table.
the others croWding at his heels; then he pried
of the lock and jerked back the lid. Then he
drew out first a small bundle of papers. tied
with string, a worn leather bag purse which
clinked, and finally an old-fashioned, single
action As revolver. This last he tossed inn
patiently aside. as he did the papers, after q
hasty glance through them. The bag he emp
tied with to disclose a small packet of
tightly folded Bank of England notes. few
gold sovereigns and some silver. That was all.
"An't no pearls there" grunted the captain
6urlily.
"They were here!" shouted Anselm. "They
must be here! Only two men knew about them
and one died in Queensland and the other in a
Shanghai dive!'
The captain licked his lips.
MAYBE this wasn't the hiding place." he
suggested MAYBE there's other placeS!"
Anselm picked up his hammer again, and.
dropping to his knees. went carefully over the
floor.
AT last he paused and dropped into chair,
baffied.
Looks as if you got us on a wi,d-goose
chase" the captain rasped.
''Wait a bit and let me think" Anselm snarled
"They're here somewhere, tell you-f1nd
drink |"
The fat mate had already discovered half
filled bottle of gin in a cupboard, and this he
brought forward with some cups. The captain
dropped to a chair, frowning heavily, and the
mate. setting the bottle on the floor. poured
three generous drinks and passed them around.
Several minutes passed in comparative silence.
and then the captain rose and moved slowly
over to confront the trader and his wife hud-
died still in their corner.
eve amt meaning no harm t. you," he be-
gan, smoothly. cts q private sort of affair
we're on. y see, looking fer some loot we buried
here some time back. Guess you never run
across it. did you?"
do you think I'd be trading for copra still?"
suggested the trader, with touch of irony.
II never even knew of that hiding place under
the floor"
The captain grunted.
eve got friend Of yours on tn Ship" he
began again. "Old gent we picked up at Sing
apore. Said he was your uncle. ma'am"
"Uncle?" cried the woman. She choked back
her resentment and tears. did you bring
him? knew he coming, but we thought
1t would be on the next schooner from Batavia.
Is he well? You didn't hurt him?"
mot yet" observed the captain Significantly
7 suppose he amt ever been here any time?"
ooh, yes" said the woman. HE was trader
here long time ago"
HE didn't write an tell you about any
pearls, heh?" the captain suggested