out
suspicion of offence. "We keep the ladies waiting."

"Captain Branscome and I," said our host, as he seated himself
beside Miss Belcher, and uncorked one of the green-sealed bottles,
"have been talking platitudes, to which, however, our present
business lends a certain fresh interest. You are here, many
thousands of miles from home, on a hunt for treasure. Now, Heaven
forbid that I should criticise your intentions, seeing that
incidentally I am in debt to them for this delightful picnic; but
before I help you--as, believe me, I am disposed to help--may I ask
what you propose to do with this wealth when you get it?"

"Why, sir," answered Miss Belcher, candidly, "we discussed that, you
may be sure, before starting. The bulk of it, after paying expenses,
was to go to young Brooks, here. Circumstances had given him, as we
supposed--and for the matter of that, as we still believe--the clue
to the treasure--"

"Pardon me, ma'am, for interrupting you; but did that clue take the
form of a map of the island?"

"It did, sir."

"A map with three red crosses upon it and some writing on the back?
Nay, I will not press the question. Your faces answer it."

"I ought to tell you, Dr. Beauregard, in justice to the boy, that he
came by it honestly, though in very tragic circumstances."

"Again, ma'am, your faces would answer for the honesty of your
business. As for the circumstances you speak of, it may save time if
I tell you that I know the whole story. Why, truly," he went on, as
we stared, "there is no mystery about it. I dare say, ma'am, the boy
has found an opportunity to whisper to you that he and I have met
before. It was at Minden Cottage, in his father's garden, and by the
very spot where his father was murdered. He found me there taking
measurements; for I had a theory about the crime--a theory of which I
need only say here that, though right in the main, it missed certain
details of which Harry's engaging conversation put me on the scent.
I had read of the murder quite accidentally; but it happened that I
knew something of Coffin--enough to explain his fate--and of the man
who had murdered him. But of Major Brooks I knew nothing; and what I
gathered by inquiry made the whole affair more and more puzzling.
At length I hit on the explanation that Coffin--who had reasons, and
strong ones, for going in deadly terror of Aaron Glass--had in some
way chosen this Major Brooks for his confessor, and journeyed