On the coast of Panama."

"Near the canal zone?"

"I don't know. The latitude and the longitude are exactly marked, but I
haven't looked them up."

"We'll have to outfit a ship here, or make our start from Panama. Yes,
it's going to take money."

"Then we can't go any farther with it. I have no means," she said
quietly.

The lawyer in me came reluctantly to the fore.

"I suppose I ought to advise you to compromise with Captain Bothwell."

Resolution flashed in the eyes that looked straight into mine.

"I'd rather lose it all! He wouldn't stick to any bargain he made
because--well, he would use the treasure as a lever to--get something
else he wants."

The flush in her cheeks told me what else it was he wanted, and my heart
was lifted within me. Bothwell intended to marry her, and she did not
intend that he should. My wishes ran pat with hers.

"That is final, is it?"

"Quite. If you don't want to go on with it you can drop out, Mr.
Sedgwick. I thank you for your kindness----"

"And who's talking of dropping out? I suggested compromise because I
thought I ought, but I'm the pleased man that you won't listen to my
good advice. No, no! I'm in to stay, and here's my hand on it."

"You're just spoiling for the fight," she smiled, her little hand in
mine.

"Indeed, and that's a guess which rings the bell. I'll not be satisfied
till I try another fall with Mr. Bothwell."

"You're a right funny lawyer."

"I'll tell you a secret. My father was an Irish filibuster in Cuba. He
died with his back to a wall when I was five."

"Then it's in the blood."

"He had a chance to slip away by leaving his men, but Barry Sedgwick
wasn't the man to take that kind of an opportunity."

"The dear hero! How proud you must be of him," she said in the softest
of voices.

I nodded.

"He's the best reference I can give you. Now, Miss Wallace, I'll have to
tell this story--or part of it--before I can interest capital in the
venture. You are willing that I should?"

"Do whatever you must. It's in your hands."

"First, we'll make sure of the map, then; and after that you can tell me
the story of Doubloon Spit."

Together we went to the International Safe Deposit vaults, rented a box,
and put in it the map. Afterward we took a car for Golden Gate Park.
There she told me the story, in substance if not in the same words, to
be found in the next two chapters.

Those who find interest only in the conventional had better read