had a chance to get any money from
Sobber," Cuffer was saying.

"Well, did the Rovers catch the young fellow?" questioned Shelley.

"That I don't know. If he didn't know enough to run away he is a
fool."

"You say one of the Rovers followed you from the train?"

"Yes, but I gave him the slip as soon as I reached the Bowery,"
answered Cuffer with a chuckle.

"Well, what are we to do next?" asked Shelley, after a pause.

"There is nothing to do but to wait until tomorrow, when Merrick
arrives."

"Have you any faith in this treasure hunt of his?"

"I have so long as he pays the bills. I wouldn't put a cent of my own
money in it."

"Has he got enough money to see the thing through?"

"So he says. He met the captain of that tramp vessel somewhere and got
him interested in the hunt by promising him a share of the find. He
says as soon as he can get hold of a Spaniard who knows the exact
location of the island he'll set sail."

"And take the Spaniard along?"

"Of course. The Spaniard was one of the chaps who originally took the
treasure to the island."

"Well, where do we come in?"

"He wants us along because he is afraid the fellows on the vessel will
make a fight for the gold and jewels when they are found. Some of
those sailors are pretty bloodthirsty, you know. He says he is going
to take at least four strong men whom he can trust."

Dick listened with keen interest to this talk, which revealed a great
deal. Sid Merrick had made an arrangement to go on a voyage after the
treasure! How soon he would start there was no telling, but probably
as quickly as he could get ready. More than this, he expected to have
with him the Spaniard, Doranez, the fellow who had said he was going
to Spain to visit his relatives. More than likely Merrick and Doranez
were in league with each other and would do all in their power to keep
the treasure out of the hands of the rightful owners.

"If only Tom and Sam were here," thought Dick. "Or if only Tom has
captured Tad Sobber. This is getting lively, to say the least."

The men were now speaking in a lower tone and he put his ear to the
keyhole, to catch what they might say. Then, of a sudden, the door
opened and he found himself confronted by Shelley.

"Thought I heard somebody in the hall!" cried that individual, and
grabbed Dick by the arm.

"Let go!" answered the youth and tried to break away. But Cuffer came
to Shelley's assistance, and between them the two men dragg