eacefully as
guinea pigs."

"And if there isn't a moon, we will set to work by the light of the
silvery lantern, I reckon!" said Croyden.

"And, when we tackle the water, it will be in a silver boat and with
silver cuirasses and silver helmets, a la Lohengrin."

"And I suppose, our swan-song will be played on silver flutes!" laughed
Croyden.

"There won't be a swan-song--we're going to find Parmenter's treasure,"
said Macloud.

Leaving Axtell in camp, they drove to town, stopping at the North end
of the Severn bridge to hire a row-boat,--a number of which were drawn
up on the bank--and to arrange for it to be sent around to the far end
of the Point. At the hotel, they found a telephone call from the
Mayor's office awaiting them.

The thieves had been duly captured, the Mayor said, and they had been
sent to Baltimore. The Chief of Detectives happened to be in the
office, when they were brought in, and had instantly recognized them as
well-known criminals, wanted in Philadelphia for a particularly
atrocious hold-up. He had, thereupon, thought it best to let the Chief
take them back with him, thus saving the County the cost of a trial,
and the penitentiary expense--as well as sparing Mr. Croyden and his
friend much trouble and inconvenience in attending court. He had had
them searched, but found nothing which could be identified. He hoped
this was satisfactory.

Croyden assured him it was more than satisfactory.

That night they began the hunt. That night, and every night for the
next three weeks, they kept at it.

They tested every conceivable hypothesis. They dug up the entire zone
of suspicion--it being loose sand and easy to handle. On the plea that
a valuable ruby ring had been lost overboard while fishing, they
dragged and scraped the bottom of the Bay for a hundred yards around.
All without avail. Nothing smiled on them but the weather--it had
remained uniformly good until the last two days before. Then there had
set in, from the North-east, such a storm of rain as they had never
seen. The very Bay seemed to be gathered up and dashed over the Point.
They had sought refuge in the hotel, when the first chilly blasts of
wind and water came up the Chesapeake. As it grew fiercer,--and a negro
sent out for information returned with the news that their tents had
been blown away, and all trace of the camp had vanished--it was
decided that the quest should be abandoned.

"It's a foolish hunt, anyway!" said Croy