For I had half expected to
find him dead.

He came forward quickly to meet me.

"A tug rounded the bend five minutes since and stopped at the yacht, Mr.
Sedgwick," he told me.

I looked out into the bay. A boat was just leaving the _Argos_ for the
shore. At the point where the sailors presently beached it I was
waiting. Blythe jumped out and splashed through the shallow water to
meet me. From the look on his face it was clear that something had gone
wrong.

Taking me by the arm he led me a few yards along the sand.

"Bad news, Jack."

"What is it?"

"Miss Wallace was waylaid and kidnaped four days ago while she and her
aunt were driving."

"How do you know?"

"Miss Berry sent Philips down in a tug to let us know. But that is not
the worst. The day before the kidnaping Bothwell escaped from prison. It
is thought that his guards were bribed."

I saw in a flash the cause of the Slav's gloating triumph. Evelyn was
his prisoner. He had her safely hidden somewhere in the mangrove swamps.

We might dig the treasure up, but we would have to give him every cent
of it in ransom for her. That was his plan, and in it lay the elements
of success. For Blythe and Yeager, no more than I, would weigh gold
against her safety.

We knew Bothwell. His civilization was a veneer. Disappointed of the
wealth he had come seeking, the man would revenge himself on the girl
who had stood in his way. I dared not think of the shame and degradation
he would make her suffer.

I told Blythe of my meeting with Bothwell.

My face must have been ashen, for Sam put a hand on my shoulder.

"Keep a stiff upper lip, old chap. Bothwell won't hurt her until he is
pushed to it. Before that time comes we'll take care of her."

"That's easy saying. But how? That prince of devils has her back there
in the swamps guarded by his ruffians. We don't know where they are.
This very minute she may be---- My God, think of the danger she runs!"

Blythe shook his head.

"She's safe till Bothwell gives the word. Not one of his fellows would
dare lift a hand against her. The captain would shoot him like a dog."

"And Bothwell himself?"

"She's safe yet, Jack. He's playing for the treasure and to marry her,
too. The man is not such a fool as to kill the goose that lays the
golden eggs. The hour of danger for her would be the one when he found
out that he had lost the treasure."

"Let's give it to him. I'll go tell him he may have it all."

"Easy, l