ke the package from the counter, and run out at the
front door," I added.

"I don't know anything about the matter, except that I would trust
Buckner farther than I would Peverell," persisted the steward. "A bank
messenger that means to be honest don't go into a bar-room and put four
thousand dollars down on the counter; not every day in the week, at
least. I don't believe Buckner took the package; if he had it would
have been found on him when the policeman caught him."

We could not get ahead any further than those on shore had in solving
the mysterious disappearance of the treasure. At an early hour I turned
in, and Washburn soon followed me. After dark I cautioned the
anchor-watch not to let any person come on board. I was afraid that
Nick Boomsby would try to become a stowaway on board of the steamer,
and thus give his father an additional grudge against me. But I soon
went to sleep and forgot all about Nick.

I was up at five in the morning. Before I washed my face and made my
toilet, I went on deck to take a look at the weather, as I generally
did at sea, or when we were on the point of sailing. It was cloudy and
thick; but I thought it probable that it would clear off as the day
advanced. The smoke was pouring out of the smoke-stack of the Islander,
as well as of the Sylvania. If the weather was not bad enough to make
me think of delaying our departure, it was still not so pleasant as I
desired for a start.

I dressed myself, and looked the vessel over again. Our party would
breakfast before they came on board, and we had nothing to do yet but
look after ourselves. At six o'clock we took our morning meal. As soon
as it was cleared away, I ordered the anchor up, and we ran in to
Market Wharf to take on board our passengers.

Before we reached the wharf I saw a boat board the Islander; but she
was too far off for me to determine who was in the craft. It was still
only half-past-six, and I did not expect our passengers for half an
hour or more. I went on shore to walk through the market. It seemed
very odd to me to find all sorts of green things, such as green peas,
cucumbers, spinach, new turnips, carrots, and most other vegetables,
which I had not been in the habit of seeing till July and August. But
we had been eating such things, including strawberries, for a month,
and many of them all winter in the West Indies.

"The Islander is under way," said Washburn, as I sauntered along the
wharf.

"Probably sh