tless you can show your title."

"Willingly, madam." Dr. Beauregard rose, and stepped to the French
window. "You can read Spanish?" he asked, turning there and pausing.

"Not a word", answered Miss Belcher. The Doctor smiled. "It would
impart nothing it you could," said he, with a smile, "for I will own
to you frankly that Mortallone has always been under suspicion of
containing treasure, and in the grant all treasure-trove is expressly
reserved. I cannot say," he added, smiling again, "that I have
strictly observed the clause; but, as between you and me, it legally
disposes of my claim."

"Thank you," said Miss Belcher; "but I don't own an equally tender
conscience towards Governments." Here Mr. Rogers winked at me, for
as a patron of smugglers Miss Belcher enjoyed some reputation, even
for a Cornish landowner. "We will leave Government out of the
question; but as proprietor--lord of the manor, as we should say at
home--you have a right to your share; and that, by English law--which
I suggest we follow--is one-third."

Dr. Beauregard bowed. "I'm infinitely obliged to you, ma'am, and I
make no doubt that what you so generously promise you will as
honourably give--when I claim it. In truth, I have something more
than enough for my needs. There was a time (I will confess) when I
had sold my soul, if I possessed such a thing, for a glimpse of what
lies written on that parchment. But I am old; and old age--"
He broke off the sentence and did not resume it, but went on
presently, with a change of tone: "However, I still keep a sporting
interest in the treasure, which has baffled me all these years, the
more so because I have a shrewd suspicion that it has lain all the
while within a mile or so of where we sit at this moment."

"It does, sir," said Miss Belcher, unfolding the chart and pointing.

Dr. Beauregard adjusted a pair of gold-rimmed eyeglasses and bent
towards it. The writing was indistinct, and he put out a hand as if
to take hold of the edge of the parchment and steady it. The hand, I
noticed, did not tremble at all.

"Stay a moment, sir." Miss Belcher turned the chart over. "The clue
is given here, upon the back. Listen." And she translated:--

"'Right bank of river a mile and a half up from Gow Creek.
Centre tree in clump of five: branch bearing north and half a
point east: two forks--'"

"My trees!" exclaimed the Doctor. "You remember my halting and
pointing them out