we
reached the bay; and he said that the pirate was known to have
frequented those parts, and was supposed to have hidden some of his
treasure somewhere about there. I thought it was only an old sailor's
yarn at the time, I remember; but it seems to have been perfectly true."

"Yes," agreed Harry; "but I should not reckon on this treasure too much
if I were you, Roger; remember we are in prison--it may be for the rest
of our lives, unless that mysterious man we saw just now should really
be a friend who wishes to assist us to escape. Besides, I am sure that
Alvarez has a suspicion that we know something about the paper, and I
cannot forget the sinister meaning of his words when he said that he
would require us later. I know only too well what will happen when that
time comes; and if he should treat us as he did poor de Soto--well, we
should never touch that hoard, Roger."

"Heaven preserve us both from a fate like that!" Roger ejaculated. "I
would give up every hope of securing that wealth to avoid being tortured
as he was. But I would not let Alvarez know where it is, even to save
myself from all the agonies he could inflict upon me. I would endure
even death rather than tell that villain, that cruel, inhuman scoundrel,
where the treasure is; for I know quite well how he would use any money
he might be able to lay his hands upon. But I won't talk about it. No,
whatever may happen, Alvarez shall never know through me. What say you,
Harry?"

"I am with you there, Roger," the lad replied. "I, too, swear that I
will never divulge the secret to Alvarez, whatever he may do. But
excuse me, my friend; you said that, after the business with the paper
had been got through with, we would have our dinner; and, as I said once
before, I am hungry, so come let us fall to."

"Wait one moment," said Roger. "Do you think you know that translation
by heart thoroughly; for I have committed it to memory, and if you have
done the same we will destroy it, as it is much too dangerous a document
to keep about us, now that we have incurred the suspicion of that fiend,
Alvarez."

"Yes," answered Harry, "I know it perfectly;" and he repeated it to his
friend. The paper was then at once torn up into the most minute
particles. They were on the point of throwing them out of the window,
but refrained, not so much because of the danger that they might be
pieced together again, as that they might attract the attention of
anybody w