rrick were carrying freight from the West
Indies there was a fierce revolution in Central America. Some families
of high rank were forced to flee, among them a nobleman named
Parmonelli, who left home carrying with him gold and diamonds worth
many thousands of dollars. He managed to get on board one of the
vessels owned by Mr. Stanhope's firm, and Mr. Stanhope was on the ship
at the same time. The vessel was followed by revolutionists who were no
better than pirates, and after a fierce fight the revolutionists shot
Parmonelli and carried off his fortune."

"This is certainly getting deep," murmured Sam.

"Parmonelli was not killed at once, but died two days after being shot
down. He was very bitter against the revolutionists, and said they had
no right to take his fortune from him--that it was his and did not
belong to the state. As Mr. Stanhope had befriended him to the last he
made a will, leaving the fortune to Mr. Stanhope if the same could be
recovered."

"And how much was it?" questioned Dick.

"I cannot say exactly--the will mentions six bags of gold and one bag
of precious stones, all packed in several chests."

"It's queer I never heard of this from Dora," said Dick. "She told me
about the other money her father left."

"Mr. Stanhope kept the matter to himself, and at his death told only
Mr. Laning, for--as you know--Mrs. Stanhope was then in delicate health
and it was deemed very unwise to excite her."

"But what about the fortune--was it recovered?" asked Tom.

"No."

"Then the money has long since been spent," cried Sam, in dismay.

"No, Sam, the money and the jewels, to the best of my knowledge and
belief, have never been touched. When the revolutionists carried them
off they said they were going straight back to Central America with
them. Instead, however, they landed on an island of the West Indies and
there started to divide the fortune. This caused a bitter fight, in
which several of the party were killed and wounded. Then it was decided
to hide the money and jewels in a cave on the island and make a
division later. A place was selected and the gold and jewels placed
under heavy rocks in a small cave. After that the party sailed away.
When they got home, much to their surprise and dismay, they found their
country in the hands once more of the government. They were captured
and all but two were sentenced to be shot as traitors. The two were
sent to prison and they were released less than a ye