t
appears that there has been some earnest talk among the passengers of
the Islander. What could this have been about except the division of
the spoils?"

While he was speaking, I had taken off the paper which inclosed the
package. It was the same color as that I had seen in the saloon. On
removing the covering, I came to the two tin plates, and saw a pile of
money, in bills, between them.

"Of course there is only one half of the plunder, and Boomsby divided
with Cornwood," said Colonel Shepard.

"Where is the other half?" I asked, blankly.

"I have no doubt this half belongs to my friend Mr. Boomsby; and I have
no more doubt Cornwood would have stolen it by the time they got to New
Orleans," added the colonel.

We concluded that it would not be as easy to find the second half of
the treasure as it had been the first.

CHAPTER XX.

THE THEORY AND THE FACTS.

We spent an hour in searching in every nook and corner of the cabin for
the other half of the lost treasure. Cornwood had not been stupid
enough to put it under the companion-way; and Nick had been stupid
enough to let his companion know where he had hidden his own share. As
Colonel Shepard had suggested, it was probable that the Floridian meant
to take it before he went on shore at New Orleans. Cornwood had not
concealed his share of the treasure in the cabin of the Islander, and
we could think of no other place where he was at all likely to deposit
it.

"I think he has too long a head to hide his money anywhere," interposed
Captain Blastblow. "I should say that any man was a natural fool to
hide his money in a vessel, under such circumstances as these fellows
came on board of the steamer. In my opinion, he has concealed the
money on his person, for you seem to have no doubt that he divided with
the young swell."

"That looks very reasonable," added Colonel Shepard. "I think if I had
a large sum on board of a vessel, I should provide myself with a
money-belt, and keep the treasure in it at all times."

"All we have to do is to search him," said Captain Blastblow. "We shall
soon find out whether or not he is a party to the robbery. I suppose
there isn't any doubt about the young swell, as the steward called him,
and which I think is the best description of him."

"The package, with the two tin plates, precisely answers the
description given of it by the man that lost it," I replied. "But I
doubt whether we have any right to search Cornwood.