nfall, Iris came
into his life. He knew not what might happen if they were rescued. The
time would quickly pass until the old order was resumed, she to go back
to her position in society, he to become again a disgraced ex-officer,
apparently working out a mere existence before the mast or handing
plates in a saloon.

Would it not be a sweet defiance of adversity were he able, even under
such conditions, to win her love, and then disclose to her the
potentialities of the island? Perchance he might fail. Though rich as
Croesus he would still be under the social ban meted out to a cashiered
officer. She was a girl who could command the gift of coronets. With
restoration to her father and home, gratitude to her preserver would
assuredly remain, but, alas! love might vanish like a mirage. Then he
would act honorably. Half of the stored wealth would be hers to do as
she chose with it.

Yes, this was a possible alternative. In case of accident to himself,
and her ultimate escape, he must immediately write full details of his
discovery, and entrust the document to her, to be opened only after his
death or six months after their release.

The idea possessed him so thoroughly that he could brook no delay. He
searched for one of the note-books taken from the dead officers of the
_Sirdar_, and scribbled the following letter:

"DEAR MISS DEANE:

"Whether I am living or dead when you read these words, you will
know that I love you. Could I repeat that avowal a million times,
in as many varied forms, I should find no better phrase to express
the dream I have cherished since a happy fate permitted me to
snatch you from death. So I simply say, 'I love you.' I will
continue to love you whilst life lasts, and it is my dearest hope
that in the life beyond the grave I may still be able to voice my
love for you.

"But perhaps I am not destined to be loved by you. Therefore, in
the event of my death before you leave the island, I wish to give
you instructions how to find a gold mine of great value which is
hidden in the rock containing the cave. You remember the sign on
the piece of tin which we could not understand. The figure 32
denotes the utmost depth of the excavation, and the 1 signifies
that one foot below the surface, on reaching the face of the rock,
there is a rich vein of gold. The hollow on the other side of the
cliff became filled with anhydrate gas,