believe half the tales I have heard
about the mysterious discovery of buried treasure. There is something so
unsubstantial about most of them. Of course, there may be some
exceptions, and--"

"Jamesby," I interrupted in good humor, "don't let your frankness expire
for the lack of the proper courage. Let your speech continue during the
whole run of an honest statement. But it's all right. I have some
indisputable proofs--"

"Good morning!" It was young Riggins who joined us. "I read that story
of yours, sir. It was good, I must say. It is just like something that
happened in my own personal experience. A few months ago, I was down at
Homosassa, Florida; and, while I was there, some clam diggers discovered
a large chest of old Spanish coin. They sold them to the Government for
thirty thousand dollars, and have now retired from the clam business."

That was a tale rather to the point, and Jamesby received it soberly;
but I laughed out of sheer appreciation of another good yarn.

I did not see Jamesby for several days. I knew it was his busy season;
but I really wished to know how he fared. So, I decided to look him up.
He was a happy, enthusiastic, ingenuous young fellow, and I had become
quite accustomed to having his cheerful company occasionally.

I found him sitting at his desk in intense abstraction; but he soon
observed me standing before him, and quickly arose with a hearty
welcome, such as he alone knew how to extend.

"I tell you, sir," he said enthusiastically, "it is a magnificent
project!"

"What is?" I answered. "I don't know--"

"Oh," he continued, absently, "I forgot; it was my brother I was talking
with. But I have investigated thoroughly the whole subject of those
blockade runners, and I believe the prospect of success is worth a giant
effort for the recovery of some of that money from the sea. There must
be untold quantities of it lying there, inviting even a meagre attempt
to get it. The boats can be chartered cheaply; and I have learned that
the necessary divers can be secured on an equitable division of the
spoils. There are many details of the organization of the enterprise
which I have thought out."

His voice had an eager ring, and his eyes sparkled with interest.

"Jamesby, my boy," I answered calmly, "you are decidedly on the right
track. I wish you all good fortune."

***END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK MONEY ISLAND***

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