second load. I know the
amount of treasure hidden where they have been searching. Two men
can lift and carry it easily."

"How do you happen to know this?" asked Miss Belcher, eyeing him from
under contracted brows.

"For the excellent reason, ma'am, that I put the treasure there
myself."

The answer, staggering to the rest of us, seemed to brace her
together. She had lowered her musket at the beginning of the
discussion; but now, throwing up her head with a sharp jerk, she
levelled her eyes on Dr. Beauregard's, as straight as though they
looked along a gun-barrel.

"Then it can hardly be for the sake of the treasure, sir, that you
propose to deal with these men."

"It is not, ma'am."

"Nor solely to protect us from them, since you have brought us here,
where we need never have come."

"No, ma'am. I brought you here because I cannot be in two places at
once, and it was necessary to keep both parties under my eye.
Having brought you, I am bound to protect you; but my main business
here, and yours--or at any rate Captain Branscome's--is to punish."

"To punish? But why to punish?"

Dr. Beauregard hesitated, with a glance at Plinny and at me, who
stood beside her.

"A word in your ear, ma'am--if you will allow me?"

He stepped close to Miss Belcher, and spoke a sentence or two which I
could not catch. But my eyes were on her face, and I saw it change
colour. The next moment her square mouth shut like a trap.

"If that be so, I wait for him along with you," she announced.
"Oh, you may trust me, sir! I have a fairly strong stomach with
criminals, and no sentiment."

"It shall be as you please, ma'am. But, for the others, I would
suggest their taking the boat and awaiting us around the point.
See, the tide has risen, and within five minutes she will float.
Mr. Goodfellow, will you accompany Miss Plinlimmon and the boy?
Wait, please, until completely afloat before pushing off; for our
friends must be near at hand by this time, and the grating of her
keel might give them the alarm. For the same reason, ma'am, unless
you have any particular question to ask, we had best start at once,
and, when we have started, keep the strictest silence. Shall I lead
the way?"

They set off very cautiously, the Doctor leading, Miss Belcher close
at his heels. Captain Branscome a couple of paces behind her; gained
the ridge, and passed out of sight around an angle of the rocks.
Now, to be left in this fashion was