第1章

Thisisatruestoryofasearchforburiedtreasure。TheonlypartthatisnottrueisthenameofthemanwithwhomIsearchedforthetreasure。UnlessIkeephisnameoutofithewillnotletmewritethestory，and，asitwashisexpeditionandasmyshareofthetreasureisonlywhatIcanmakebywritingthestory，I

mustwriteashedictates。Ithinkthestoryshouldbetold，becauseourexperiencewasunique，andmightbeofbenefittoothers。And，besides，Ineedthemoney。

Thereis，however，noagreementpreventingmefromdescribinghimasIthinkheis，orreporting，asaccuratelyasIcan，whathesaidanddidashesaidanddidit。

ForpurposesofidentificationIshallcallhimEdgarPowell。Thelastnamehasnosignificance；butthefirstnameisnotchosenatrandom。Theleaderofourexpedition，theheadandbrainsofit，wasandisthesortofmanonewouldaddressasEdgar。Noonewouldthinkofcallinghim"Ed，"or"Eddie，"anymorethanhewouldconsiderslappinghimontheback。

Weweretogetheratcollege；but，assixhundredotherboyswerethereatthesametime，thatgivesnoclewtohisidentity。Sincethosedays，untilhecametoseemeaboutthetreasure，wehadnotmet。AllIknewofhimwasthathehadsucceededhisfatherinmanufacturingunshrinkableflannels。Ofcourse，thereaderunderstandsthatisnotthearticleofcommercehemanufactures；

butitisnearenough，anditsuggeststhelineofbusinesstowhichhegiveshislife’sblood。Itisnotsimilartomyownlineofwork，andinconsequence，whenhewroteme，ontheunshrinkableflannelsofficialwriting—paper，thathewishedtoseemeinreferencetoamatterofbusinessof"mutualbenefit，"Iwasconsiderablypuzzled。

Afewdayslater，atnineinthemorning，anhourofhisownchoosing，hecametomyroomsinNewYorkCity。

Exceptthathehadgrownabeard，hewasasIrememberedhim，thinandtall，butwithnochest，andstoopingshoulders。Heworeeye—glasses，andasofoldthroughtheseheregardedyoudisapprovinglyandwarilyasthoughhesuspectedyoumighttrytoborrowmoney，orevenjokewithhim。AswithEdgarIhadneverfeltanytemptationtodoeither，thiswasirritating。

Butfromforceofformerhabitwegreetedeachotherbyourfirstnames，andhesuspiciouslyacceptedacigar。Then，afterfixingmebothwithhiseyesandwithhiseye—glassesandswearingmetosecrecy，hebeganabruptly。

"Ourmills，"hesaid，"areinNewBedford；andIownseveralsmallcottagesthereandinFairhaven。Irentthemoutatamoderaterate。Theotherdayoneofmytenants，aPortuguesesailor，wastakensuddenlyillandsentforme。HehadmademanyvoyagesinandoutofBedfordtotheSouthSeas，whaling，andhetoldmeonhislastvoyagehehadtouchedathisformerhomeatTeneriffe。Therehisgrandfatherhadgivenhimadocumentthathadbeenlefthimbyhisfather。Hisgrandfathersaiditcontainedanimportantsecret，butonethatwasofvalueonlyinAmerica，andthatwhenhereturnedtothatcontinenthemustbeverycarefultowhomheshowedit。HetoldmeitwaswritteninakindofEnglishhecouldnotunderstand，andthathehadbeenafraidtoletanyoneseeit。

Hewantedmetoacceptthedocumentinpaymentoftherentheowedme，withtheunderstandingthatIwasnottolookatit，andthatifhegotwellIwastogiveitback。Ifhepulledthrough，hewastopaymeinsomeotherway；butifhediedIwastokeepthedocument。Aboutamonthagohedied，andIexaminedthepaper。Itpurportstotellwherethereisburiedapirate’streasure。And，"

addedEdgar，gazingatmeseverelyandasthoughhechallengedmetocontradicthim，Iintendtodigforit！"

HadhetoldmehecontemplatedcrossingtheRockyMountainsinaBabyWright，orleadingacotillon，Icouldnothavebeenmoreastonished。IamafraidIlaughedaloud。

"You！"Iexclaimed。"Searchforburiedtreasure？"

Mytonevisiblyannoyedhim。Eventheeye—glassesradiateddisapproval。

"Iseenothingamusingintheidea，"Edgarprotestedcoldly。"Itisaplainbusinessproposition。Ifindtheoutlaywillbesmall，andifIamsuccessfulthereturnsshouldbelarge；ataroughestimateaboutonemilliondollars。"

Evento—day，notrueAmerican，atthethoughtofonemilliondollars，canremaincovered。Hislettertomehadsaid，"forourmutualbenefit。"Ibecamerespectfulandpolite，Imightevensayabject。Afterall，thetiesthatbindusinthosedearoldcollegedaysarenotlightlytobedisregarded。

"IfIcanbeofanyservicetoyou，Edgar，oldman，"Iassuredhimheartily，"ifIcanhelpyoufindit，youknowIshallbeonlytoohappy。"WithregretIobservedthatmygenerousofferdidnotseemtodeeplymovehim。

"Icametoyouinthismatter，"hecontinuedstiffly，"becauseyouseemedtobethesortofpersonwhowouldbeinterestedinasearchforburiedtreasure。"

"Iam，"Iexclaimed。"Alwayshavebeen。"

"Haveyou，"hedemandedsearchingly，"anypracticalexperience？"

Itriedtoappearatease；butIknewthenjusthowthemanwhoappliestolookafteryourfurnacefeels，whenyouaskhimifhecanalsorunasixtyhorse—powerdynamo。

"IhaveneveractuallyFOUNDanyburiedtreasure，"Iadmitted；"butIknowwherelotsofitis，andIknowjusthowtogoafterit。"I

endeavoredtodazzlehimwithexpertknowledge。

"Ofcourse，"Iwentonairily，"IamfamiliarwithalltheexpeditionsthathavetriedfortheoneonCocosIsland，andIknowallaboutthePeruviantreasureonTrinidad，andthelosttreasuresofJalisconearGuadalajara，andthesunkengalleonontheGrandCayman，andwhenIwasontheIsleofPinesIhadseveralverytemptingofferstosearchthere。AndthelateCaptainBoyntoninvitedme————"

"But，"interruptedEdgarinatonethatwouldtoleratenotrifling，"youyourselfhaveneverfinancedororganizedanexpeditionwiththeobjectinviewof————"

"Oh，thatpart’seasy！"Iassuredhim。"Thefitting—outpartyoucansafelyleavetome。"IassumedaconfidencethatIhopedhemightbelievewasreal。"There’salwaysatrampsteamerintheErieBasin，"Isaid，"thatonecancharterforanykindofadventure，andIhavetheaddressesofenoughsoldiersoffortune，filibusters，andprofessionalrevolutioniststomanabattle—ship，allfinefellowsinatightcorner。AndI’llpromiseyouthey’llfollowustohell，andback————"

"That！"exclaimedEdgar，"isexactlywhatIfeared！"

"Ibegyourpardon！"Iexclaimed。

"That’sexactlywhatIDON’Twant，"saidEdgarsternly。"Idon’tINTENDtogetintoanytightcorners。Idon’tWANTtogotohell！"

IsawthatinmyenthusiasmIhadperhapsalarmedhim。Icontinuedmoretemperately。

"Anyexpeditionaftertreasure，"Ipointedout，"isneverwithoutrisk。Youmusthavediscipline，andyoumusthavepickedmen。

Supposethere’samutiny？Supposetheytrytorobusofthetreasureonourwayhome？Wemusthavemenwecanrelyon，andmenwhoknowhowtopumpaWinchester。Icangetyouboth。AndBannermanwillfurnishmewithanythingfromapairoflegginstoaquickfiringgun，andonClarkStreetthey’llquotemeaspecialrateonshipstores，hydraulicpumps，divers’helmets————"

Edgar’seye—glassesbecamefrostedwithcold，condemnatoryscorn。

Heshookhisheaddisgustedly。

"Iwasafraidofthis！"hemurmured。

Iendeavoredtoreassurehim。

"Alittledanger，"Ilaughed，"onlyaddstothefun。"

"Iwantyoutounderstand，"exclaimedEdgarindignantly，"thereisn’tgoingtobeanydanger。Thereisn’tgoingtobeanyfun。Thisisaplainbusinessproposition。Iaskedyouthosequestionsjusttotestyou。AndyouapproachedthematterexactlyasIfearedyouwould。Iwaspreparedforit。Infact，"heexplainedshamefacedly，"I’vereadseveralofyourlittlestories，andIfindtheyruntoadventureandbloodandthunder；theyarenotoftheanalyticalschooloffiction。Judgingfromthem，"headdedaccusingly，"youhaveatendencytotheromantic。"HespokereluctantlyasthoughsayingIhadatendencytoepilepticfitsorthemorphinehabit。

"Iamafraid，"Iwasforcedtoadmit，"thattomepiratesandburiedtreasurealwayssuggestadventure。Andyourcriticismofmywritingsiswellobserved。Othershavediscoveredthesamefatalweakness。Wecannotall，"Ipointedout，"manufactureunshrinkableflannels。"

Atthiscomplimenttohismorefortunatecondition，Edgarseemedtosoften。

"Igrantyou，"hesaid，"thatthesubjecthasalmostinvariablybeenapproachedfromthepointofviewyoutake。Andwhat，"hedemandedtriumphantly，"hasbeentheresult？Failure，oratleast，beforesuccesswasattained，amostunnecessaryandregrettablelossofbloodandlife。Now，onmyexpedition，Idonotintendthatanybloodshallbeshed，orthatanybodyshalllosehislife。I

havenotenteredintothismatterhastily。Ihavetakenoutinformation，andmeantobenefitbyotherpeople’smistakes。WhenIdecidedtogoonwiththis，"heexplained，"Ireadallthebooksthatbearonsearchesforburiedtreasure，andIfoundthatineachcasethesamemistakesweremade，andthatthen，inordertoremedythemistakes，itwasinvariablynecessarytokillsomebody。Now，bynotmakingthosemistakes，itwillnotbenecessaryformetokillanyone，andnobodyisgoingtohaveachancetokillme。

"Youproposethatwefitoutaschoonerandsignonacrew。Whatwillhappen？Amanwithasabrecutacrosshisforehead，orwithablackpatchoveroneeye，willinevitablybeoneofthatcrew。And，assoonaswesail，hewillatoncebegintoplotagainstus。A

cabinboywhotheconspiratorsthinkisasleepinhisbunkwilloverheartheirplotandwillruntothequarter—decktogivewarning；butapistolshotringsout，andthecabinboyfallsatthefootofthecompanionladder。Thecabinboyisalwaysthefirstonetogo。Afterthatthemutineerskillthefirstmate，andlockusinourcabin，andtakeovertheship。Theywillthenbroachacaskofrum，andallthroughthenightwewilllistentotheirdrunkenhowlings，andfromthecabinairportwatchthebodyofthefirstmaterollingintheleescuppers。"

"Butyouforget，"Iprotestedeagerly，"thereisalwaysONE

faithfulmemberofthecrew，who————"

Edgarinterruptedmeimpatiently。

"Ihavenotoverlookedhim，"hesaid。"HeisaJamaicanegroofgiganticproportions，ortheship’scook；buthealwaysgetshistoo，andhegetsitgood。TheythrowHIMtothesharks！Thenweallcampoutonadesertislandinhabitedonlybygoats，andwebuildastockade，andthemutineerscometotreatwithusunderawhiteflag，andwe，trustingentirelytotheirhonor，arefoolsenoughtogooutandtalkwiththem。Atwhichtheyshootusup，andwithdrawlaughingscornfully。"Edgarfixedhiseye—glassesuponmeaccusingly。

"AmIright，oramIwrong？"hedemanded。Iwasunabletoanswer。

"Theonlyman，"continuedEdgarwarmlywhoevershowedtheslightestintelligenceinthematterwasthefellowinthe’GoldBug。HEkepthismouthshut。Heneverletanyoneknowthathewasafterburiedtreasure，untilhefoundit。That’sme！NowIknowEXACTLYwherethistreasureis，and————"

Isuppose，involuntarily，Imusthavegivenastartofinterest；

forEdgarpausedandshookhishead，slylyandcunningly。"AndifyouthinkIhavethemaponmypersonnow，"hedeclaredintriumph，"you’llhavetoguessagain！"

"Really，"Iprotested，"Ihadnointention————"

"Notyou，perhaps，"saidEdgargrudgingly；"butyourJapanesevaletconcealshimselfbehindthosecurtains，followsmehome，andatnight————"

"Ihaven’tgotavalet，"Iobjected。

Edgarmerelysmiledwiththemostaggravatingself—sufficiency。

"Itmakesnodifference，"hedeclared。"NOONEwilleverfindthatmap，orseethatmap，orknowwherethattreasureis，untilIpointtothespot。"

"Yourcautionisadmirable，"Isaid；"butwhat，"Ijeered，"makesyouthinkyoucanpointtothespot，becauseyourmapsayssomethinglike，’ThroughtheSunkenValleytoWitch’sCaldron，fourpointsN。byN。E。toGallowsHillwheretheshadowfallsatsunrise，fiftyfathomswest，fiftypacesnorthasthecrowflies，totheSevenWells’？Howthedeuce，"Idemanded，"isanyonegoingtopointtothatspot？"

"Itisn’tthatkindofmap，"shoutedEdgartriumphantly。"Ifithadbeen，Iwouldn’thavegoneonwithit。It’samapanybodycanreadexceptahalf—castePortuguesesailor。It’sasplainasalaundrybill。Itsays，"hepausedapprehensively，andthencontinuedwithcaution，"itsaysatsuchandsuchaplacethereisasomething。Somanysomethingsfromthatsomethingarethreewhat—you—may—call—’ems，andinthecentreofthesethreewhat—you—may—call—’emsisburiedthetreasure。It’sasplainasthat！"

"Evenwiththefewdetailsyouhaveletescapeyou，"Isaid，"I

couldfindTHATspotinmysleep。"

"Idon’tthinkyoucould，"saidEdgaruncomfortably；butIcouldseethathehadmentallywarnedhimselftobelesscommunicative。

"And，"hewenton，"Iamwillingtoleadyoutoit，ifyousubscribetocertainconditions。"

Edgar’sinsultingcautionhadruffledmyspirit。

"WhydoyouthinkyoucantrustME？"Iaskedhaughtily。Andthen，rememberingmyshareofthemilliondollars，Iaddedinhaste，"I

accepttheconditions。"

"Ofcourse，asyousay，onehasgottotakeSOMErisk，"Edgarcontinued；"butIfeelsure，"hesaid，regardingmedoubtfully，"youwouldnotstooptoopenrobbery。"Ithankedhim。

"Well，untiloneistempted，"saidEdgar，"oneneverknowsWHAThemightdo。AndI’vesimplyGOTtohaveoneotherman，andIpickedonyoubecauseIthoughtyoucouldwriteaboutit。"

"Isee，"Isaid，"Iamtoactasthehistorianoftheexpedition。"

"Thatwillbearrangedlater，"saidEdgar。"WhatIchieflywantyouforistodig。Canyoudig？"heaskedeagerly。ItoldhimIcould；

butthatIwouldratherdoalmostanythingelse。

"IMUSThaveoneotherman，"repeatedEdgar，"amanwhoisstrongenoughtodig，andstrongenoughtoresistthetemptationtomurderme。"TheretortwassoeasythatIletitpass。Besides，onEdgar，itwouldhavebeenwasted。

"ITHINKyouwilldo，"hesaidwithreluctance。"Andnowtheconditions！"

Ismiledagreeably。

"Youarealreadysworntosecrecy，"saidEdgar。"Andyounowagreeineverydetailtoobeymeimplicitly，andtoaccompanymetoacertainplace，whereyouwilldig。IfIfindthetreasure，youagree，tohelpmeguardit，andconveyittowhereverIdecideitissafetoleaveit。Yourresponsibilityisthenatanend。Oneyearafterthetreasureisdiscovered，youwillbefreetowritetheaccountoftheexpedition。Forwhatyouwrite，somemagazinemaypayyou。Whatitpaysyouwillbeyourshareofthetreasure。"

Ofmypartofthemilliondollars，whichIhadhastilycalculatedcouldnotbelessthanone—fifth，Ihadalreadyspentoveronehundredthousanddollarsandwaslivingfarbeyondmymeans。IhadboughtafarmwithawaterfrontontheSound，amotor—boat，and，asIwasnotsurewhichmakeIpreferred，threeautomobiles。Ihadatmyown，expenseproducedaplayofminethatnomanagerhadappreciated，anditsnameinelectriclightswasalreadyblindingBroadway。IhadpurchasedaHollanderexpressrifle，aREALambercigarholder，aprivatesecretarywhocouldplaybothrag—timeandtennis，andafurcoat。SoEdgar’sgenerousofferleftmenaked。

WhenIhadagainaccustomedmyselftothenarrowconfinesofmyflat，andthejoltofthesurfacecars，Iaskedhumbly：

"IsthatALLIget？"

"Whyshouldyouexpectanymore？"demandedEdgar。"Itisn’tYOUR

treasure。Youwouldn’texpectmetomakeyouapresentofaninterestinmymills；whyshouldyougetashareofmytreasure？"

Hegazedatmereproachfully。"Ithoughtyou’dbepleased，"hesaid。"Itmustbehardtothinkofthingstowriteabout，andI’mgivingyouasubjectfornothing。Ithought，"heremonstrated，"you’djumpatthechance。Itisn’teverydayamancandigforburiedtreasure。"

"That’sallright，"Isaid。"PerhapsIappreciatethatquiteaswellasyoudo。Butmytimehasacertainsmallvalue，andIcan’tleavemyworkjustforexcitement。Wemaybeweeks，months————Howlongdoyouthinkwe————"

Behindhiseye—glassesEdgarwinkedreprovingly。

"Thatisaleadingquestion，"hesaid。"Iwillpayallyourlegitimateexpenses——transportation，food，lodging。Itwon’tcostyouacent。Andyouwritethestory——withmynameleftout，"headdedhastily；"itwouldhurtmystandinginthetrade，"heexplained——"andgetpaidforit。"

IsawaseavoyageatEdgar’sexpense。Isawpalmleaves，coralreefs。IfeltmymusclesachingandthesweatrunfrommyneckandshouldersasIdrovemypickintothechestofgold。

"I’llgowithyou！"Isaid。Weshookhandsonit。"Whendowestart？"Iasked。

"Now！"saidEdgar。Ithoughthewishedtotestme；hehadtouchedupononeofmypetvanities。

"Youcan’tdothatwithme！"Isaid。"Mybagsarepackedandreadyforanyplaceinthewideworld，exceptthecoldplaces。Icanstartthisminute。Whereisit，theGoldCoast，theIvoryCoast，theSpanishMain————"

Edgarfrownedinscrutably。"Haveyouanemptysuit—case？"heasked。

"WhyEMPTY？"Idemanded。

"Tocarrythetreasure，"saidEdgar。"Ileftmineinthehall。Wewillneedtwo。"

"Andyourtrunks？"Isaid。

"Therearen’tgoingtobeanytrunks，"saidEdgar。FromhispockethehadtakenafolderoftheNewJerseyCentralRailroad。"Ifwehurry，"heexclaimed，"wecancatchtheten—thirtyexpress，andreturntoNewYorkintimefordinner。"

"Andwhataboutthetreasure？"Iroared。

"We’ll’bringitwithus，"saidEdgar。

Iaskedforinformation。Idemandedconfidences。Edgarrefusedboth。IinsistedthatImightbeallowedatleasttocarrymyautomaticpistol。"Supposesomeonetriestotakethetreasurefromus？"Ipointedout。

"Noone，"saidEdgarseverely，"wouldbesuchanassastoimaginewearecarryingburiedtreasureinasuit—case。Hewillthinkitcontainspajamas。"

"Forlocalcolor，then，"Ibegged，"IwanttosayinmystorythatIwentheavilyarmed。"

"Sayit，then，"snappedEdgar。"Butyoucan’tDOit！Notwithme，youcan’t！HowdoIknowyoumightn’t————"Heshookhisheadwarily。

ItwasadayinearlyOctober，thehazeofIndiansummerwasintheair，andaswecrossedtheNorthRiverbytheTwenty—thirdStreetFerrythesunflasheduponthewhitecloudsoverheadandthetumblingwatersbelow。OneachsideofusgreatvesselswiththeBluePeterattheforelayatthewharfsreadytocastoff，orwerealreadynosingtheirwaydownthechanneltowardstrangeandbeautifulports。LamportandHoltwererollingdowntoRio；theRoyalMail’sMAGDALENA，nolonger"whiteandgold，"wasofftoKingston，whereoncesevenpiratesswunginchains；theCLYDEwasonherwaytoHaytiwherethebuccaneerscamefrom；theMORRO

CASTLEwasboundforHavana，whichMorgan，kingofallthepirates，hadoncemadehisown；andtheREDDwassteamingtoPortoCabellowhereSirFrancisDrake，asbigabuccaneerasanyofthem，liesentombedinherharbor。AndIwassettingforthonaburied—treasureexpeditiononasnub—nosed，flat—bellied，fresh—waterferry—boat，boundforJerseyCity！Noonewilleverknowmysenseofhumiliation。And，whentheItalianboyinsultedmyimmaculatetanshoesbypointingatthemandsaying，"Shine？"I

couldhaveslainhim。Fancydiggingforburiedtreasureinfreshlyvarnishedboots！ButEdgardidnotmind。Tohimtherewasnothinglacking；itwasjustasitshouldbe。HewasdeeplyengrossedincalculatinghowmanyofficeswereforrentintheSingerBuilding！

Whenwereachedtheotherside，herefusedtoansweranyofmyeagerquestions。Hewouldnotletmeknowevenforwhatplaceonthelinehehadpurchasedourtickets，and，asahintthatIshouldnotdisturbhim，hestuffedintomyhandsthelatestmagazines。"Atleasttellmethis，"Idemanded。"Haveyoueverbeentothisplacebeforeto—day？"

"0nce，"saidEdgarshortly，"lastweek。That’swhenIfoundoutI

wouldneedsomeonewithmewhocoulddig。"

"Howdoyouknowit’stheRIGHTplace？"Iwhispered。

Thesummerseasonwasover，andofthechaircarweweretheonlyoccupants；but，beforeheanswered，Edgarlookedcautiouslyroundhimandoutofthewindow。WehadjustpassedRedBank。

"Becausethemaptoldme，"heanswered。"Suppose，"hecontinuedfretfully，"youhadamapofNewYorkCitywiththestreetsmarkedonitplainly？SupposethemapsaidthatifyouwalkedtowhereBroadwayandFifthAvenuemeet，youwouldfindtheFlatironBuilding。Doyouthinkyoucouldfindit？"

"WasitaseasyasTHAT？"Igasped。

"ItwasaseasyasTHAT！"saidEdgar。

Isankbackintomychairandletthemagazinesslidetothefloor。

Whatfictionstorywasthereinanyoneofthemsoenthrallingastheactualpossibilitiesthatlaybeforeme？IntwohoursImightbebendingoverapotofgold，aseacheststuffedwithpearlsandrubies！

IbegantorecallallthestoriesIhadheardasaboyoftreasureburiedalongthecoastbyKiddonhisreturnvoyagefromtheIndies。WherealongtheJerseysea—lineweretheresafeharbors？

ThetrainonwhichwewereracingsouthhaditsrailheadatBarnegatBay。AndbetweenBarnegatandRedBanktherenowwasbutoneotherinlet，thatoftheManasquanRiver。ItmightbeBarnegat；

itmightbeManasquan。Itcouldnotbeagreatdistancefromeither；towardtheoceandownabroad，sandyroad。Theseasonhadpassedandthewindowsofthecottagesandbungalowsoneithersideoftheroadwerebarricadedwithplanks。Ontheverandashammocksabandonedtothewindshungintatters，onthebackporchesthedoorsofemptyrefrigeratorsswungopenononehinge，andoneverysideabovethefieldsofgorgeousgolden—rodrosesignsreading"ForRent。"Whenwehadprogressedinsilenceforamile，thesandyavenuelostitselfinthedeepersandofthebeach，andthehorseofhisownwillcametoahalt。

Ononesideweweresurroundedbylockedanddesertedbathinghouses，ontheotherbyemptypavilionsshutteredandbarredagainstthewinter，butstillinvitingoneto’Tryoursaltwatertaffy"orto"Keepcoolwithanice—creamsoda。"RupertturnedandlookedinquiringlyatEdgar。TothenorththebeachstretchedinanunbrokenlinetoManasquanInlet。Tothesouththreemilesawaywecouldseefloatingonthehorizon—likeamiragethehotelsandsummercottagesofBayHead。

"Drivetowardtheinlet，"directedEdgar。"ThisgentlemanandI

willwalk。"

Relievedofourweight，thehorsestumbledbravelyintothetracklesssand，whilebelowonthedamperandfirmershinglewewalkedbytheedgeofthewater。

Thetidewascominginandthespentwaves，spreadingbeforethemanadvanceguardoftinyshellsandpebbles，threatenedourboots’

andatthesametimeinsoothing，lazywhisperswarnedusoftheirattack。Theselispingmurmursandthecrashandroarofeachincomingwaveasitbrokeweretheonlysounds。Andonthebeachweweretheonlyhumanfigures。Atlastthescenebegantobearsomeresemblancetoonesetforanadventure。Therollingocean，acoaststeamerdraggingagreatcolumnofblacksmoke，andcasthighuponthebeachthewreckofaschooner，hermaststiltingdrunkenly，gavecolortoourpurpose。Itbecamefilledwithgreaterpromiseofdrama，morepicturesque。Ibegantothrillwithexcitement。I

regardedEdgarappealingly，ineagersupplication。Atlasthebrokethesilencethatwastorturingme。

"Wewillnowwalkhigherup，"hecommanded。"Ifwegetourfeetwet，wemaytakecold。"

Myspiritwastoofarbrokentomakereply。ButtomyreliefIsawthatinleavingthebeachEdgarhadsomesecondpurpose。Witheachheavystephewasdrawingtowardtwohighbanksofsandinahollowbehindwhich，protectedbythebanks，werethreestunted，wind—drivenpines。Hiswordscamebacktome。

"Somanywhat—you—may—call—’ems。"Werethesepinesthethreesomethingsfromsomething，thewhat—you—may—call—’ems？Thethoughtchilledmetothespine。Igazedatthemfascinated。Ifeltlikefallingonmykneesinthesandandtearingtheirsecretfromthemwithmybarehands。Iwasstrongenoughtodigthemupbytheroots，strongenoughtodigthePanamaCanal！IglancedtremulouslyatEdgar。Hiseyeswerewideopenand，eloquentwithdismay，hislowerjawhadfallen。Heturnedandlookedatmeforthefirsttimewithconsideration。Apologyandremorsewerewrittenineverylineofhiscountenance。

I’msorry，hestammered。Ihadacruelpremonition。Iexclaimedwithdistress。

"Youhavelostthemap！"Ihissed。

"No，no，"protestedEdgar；"butIentirelyforgottobringanylunch！"

WithviolentmutteringsItoreoffmyupperandoutergarmentsandtossedthemintothehack。

"WheredoIbegin？"Iasked。

Edgarpointedtoaspotinsidethetriangleformedbythethreetreesandequallydistantfromeach。

"Putthathorsebehindthebank，"Icommanded，"wherenoonecanseehim！AndbothyouandRupertkeepoffthesky—line！"Fromthenorthandsouthwewerenowallthreehiddenbythetwohighbanksofsand；totheeastlaythebeachandtheAtlanticOcean，andtotheweststretchesofmarshesthatamileawaymetawoodofpinetreesandtherailroadround—house。

Ibegantodig。Iknewthatwearyhourslaybeforeme，andI

attackedthesandleisurelyandwithdeliberation。Itwasatfirstnogreateffort；butastheholegrewindepth，andtherootsofthetreeswereexposed，theworkwassufficientforseveralmen。

Still，asEdgarhadsaid，itisnoteverydaythatonecandigfortreasure，andinthinkingofwhatwastocomeIforgotmyhandsthatquicklyblistered，andmybreakingback。AfteranhourI

insistedthatEdgarshouldtakeaturn；buthemadesuchpoorheadwaythatmypatiencecouldnotcontainme，andItoldhimIwassufficientlyrestedandwouldcontinue。Withalacrityhescrambledoutofthehole，and，takingacigarfrommycase，seatedhimselfcomfortablyinthehack。Itookmycomfortinanticipatingthethrillthatwouldbeminewhenthespadewouldringontheironboundchest；when，withablowoftheaxe，Iwouldexposetoviewthehiddenjewels，thepiecesofeight，coatedwithverdigris，thestringofpearls，thechainsofyellowgold。Edgarhadsaidamilliondollars。Thatmustmeantherewouldbediamonds，manydiamonds。Iwouldholdtheminmyhands，watchthem，atthesuddensunshine，blinktheireyesandburstintotiny，burningfires。InimaginationIwouldreplacetheminthesetting，fromwhich，yearsbefore，theyhadbeenstolen。Iwouldtrytoguesswhencetheycamefromajewelledchaliceinsomedimcathedral，fromthebreastofagreatlady，fromthehiltofanadmiral’ssword。

AfteranotherhourIliftedmyachingshouldersand，wipingthesweatfrommyeyes，lookedovertheedgeofthehole。Rupert，withhisbacktothesand—hill，wasasleep。Edgarwithonehandwaswavingawaythemosquitoesandintheotherwasholdingoneofthemagazineshehadboughtonthewaydown。Icouldevenseethepageuponwhichhiseyeswereriveted。Itwasanadvertisementforbreakfastfood。Inmyindignationthespadeslippedthroughmycrampedandperspiringfingers，andasitstruckthebottomofthepit，something——abandofiron，asteellock，anironring——gaveforthamuffledsound。MyheartstoppedbeatingassuddenlyasthoughMr。Corbetthadhititwithhisclosedfist。Mybloodturnedtomeltedice。Idrovethespadedownasfiercelyasthoughitwasadagger。Itsankintorottenwood。Ihadmadenosound；forI

couldhardlybreathe。ButtheslightnoiseoftheblowhadreachedEdgar。Iheardthespringsofthehackcreakashevaultedfromit，andthenextmomenthewastoweringaboveme，peeringdownintothepit。Hiseyeswerewidewithexcitement，greed，andfear。Inhishandsheclutchedthetwosuit—cases。Likealiondefendinghiscubsheglaredatme。

"Getout！"heshouted。

"Likehell！"Isaid。

"Getout！"heroared。"I’lldotherest。

That’smine，notyours！GETOUT！"

WithaswiftkickIbrushedawaythesand。IfoundIwasstandingonasquatwoodenbox，boundwithbandsofrustyiron。Ihadonlytostooptotouchit。ItwassorottenthatIcouldhavetornitapartwithmybarehands。Edgarwasdancingontheedgeofthepit，incidentallykickingsandintomymouthandnostrils。

"YouPROMISEDme！"heroared。"YouPROMISEDtoobeyme！"

"Youass！"Ishouted。"Haven’tIdoneallthework？Don’tI

get————"

"Yougetout！"roaredEdgar。

Slowly，disgustedly，withwhatdignityonecandisplayincrawlingoutofasand—pit，Iscrambledtothetop。

"Gooverthere，"commandedEdgarpointing，"andsitdown。"

InfurioussilenceIseatedmyselfbesideRupert。Hewasstillslumberingandsnoringhappily。FromwhereIsatIcouldseenothingofwhatwasgoingforwardinthepit，saveonce，whentheheadofEdgar，hiseyesaflameandhishairandeye—glassessprinkledwithsand，appearedaboveit。ApparentlyhewasfearfullestIhadmovedfromthespotwherehehadplacedme。Ihadnot；

buthadheknownmyinmostfeelingshewouldhavetakentheaxeintothepitwithhim。

Imusthavesatsoforhalfanhour。Intheskyabovemeafish—hawkdriftedlazily。Fromthebeachsoundedthesteadybeatofthewaves，andfromthetownacrossthemarshescamethepuffingofalocomotiveandtheclangingbellsofthefreighttrains。Thebreezefromtheseacooledthesweatonmyachingbody；butitcouldnotcooltherageinmyheart。IfIhadthecourageofmyfeelings，IwouldhavecrackedEdgaroverheadwiththespade，buriedhiminthepit，bribedRupert，andforeverafterlivedhappilyonmyill—gottengains。ThatwashowKidd，orMorgan，orBlackbeardwouldhaveacted。Icursedtheeffetecivilizationwhichhadtaughtmetowantmanypleasuresbuthadleftmewithaconsciencethatwouldnotletmetakehumanlifetoobtainthem，notevenEdgar’slife。

Inhalfanhourasuit—casewasliftedintoviewanddroppedontheedgeofthepit。Itwasfollowedbytheother，andthenbyEdgar。

Withoutaskingmetohelphim，becauseheprobablyknewIwouldnot，heshovelledthesandintothehole，andthenplacedthesuitcasesinthecarriage。WithincreasingangerIobservedthatthecontentsofeachweresoheavythattoliftitheusedbothhands。

"Thereisnouseyouraskinganyquestions，"heannounced，"becauseIwon’tanswerthem。"

Igavehimminutedirectionsastowherehecouldgo；butinsteadwedroveinblacksilencetothestation。ThereEdgarrewardedRupertwithadime，andwhilewewaitedforthetraintoNewYorkplacedthetwosuit—casesagainstthewalloftheticketofficeandsatuponthem。WhenthetrainarrivedhewarnedmeinahoarsewhisperthatIhadpromisedtohelphimguardthetreasure，andgavemeoneofthesuit—cases。Itweighedaton。JusttospiteEdgar，Ihadaplantokickitopen，sothateveryoneontheplatformmightscrambleforthecontents。ButagainmyinfernalNewEnglandconsciencerestrainedme。

Edgarhadsecuredthedrawing—roomintheparlor—car，andwhenweweresafelyinsideandthedoorboltedmycuriositybecamestrongerthanmypride。

"Edgar，"Isaid，"youringratitudeiscontemptible。Yoursuspicionsareridiculous；but，underthesemostunusualconditions，Idon’tblameyou。Butwearequitesafenow。Thedoorisfastened，"I

pointedoutingratiatingly，itandthistraindoesn’tstopforanotherfortyminutes。Ithinkthiswouldbeanexcellenttimetolookatthetreasure。""Idon’t！"saidEdgar。

Isankbackintomychair。WithintenseenjoymentIimaginedthetraininwhichwewereseatedhurlingitselfintoanothertrain；

andeverybody，includingEdgar，or，rather，especiallyEdgar，beinginstantlybutpainlesslykilled。Bysuchanactofanall—wiseProvidenceIwouldatoncebecomeheirtoonemilliondollars。Itwasabeautiful，satisfyingdream。EvenMYconscienceaccepteditwithasmugsmile。ItwassovividadreamthatIsatguiltilyexpectant，waitingforthecrashtocome，fortheshrieksandscreams，fortherushofescapingsteamandbreakingwindow—panes。

Butitwasfartoogoodtobetrue。WithoutajarthetraincarriedusanditspreciousburdeninsafetytotheJerseyCityterminal。

Andeach，withhalfamilliondollarsinhishand，hurriedtotheferry，assailedbyporters，news—boys，hackmen。Tothemwewereacoupleofcommuterssavingadimebycarryingourownhand—bags。

Itwasnowsixo’clock，andIpointedouttoEdgarthatatthathourtheonlyvaultsopenwerethoseoftheNightandDayBank。Andtothatinstitutioninataxicabweatoncemadeourway。Ipaidthechauffeur，andtwominuteslater，withagaspofreliefandrejoicing，Idroppedthesuit—caseIhadcarriedonatableinthesteel—walledfastnessesofthevaults。Gatheredexcitedlyaroundusweretheofficialsofthebank，summonedhastilyfromabove，andwatchmeninplainclothes，andwatchmeninuniformsofgray。Greatbarsasthickasmylegprotectedus。Wallsofchilledsteelrisingfromsolidrockstoodbetweenourtreasureandtheouterworld。

UntilthenIhadnotknownhowtremendousthenervousstrainhadbeen；butnowitcamehometome。Imoppedtheperspirationfrommyforehead，Idrewadeepbreath。

"Edgar，"Iexclaimedhappily，"Icongratulateyou！"IfoundEdgarextendingtowardmeatwo—dollarbill。"Yougavethechauffeurtwodollars，"’hesaid。"Thefarewasreallyonedollareighty；soyouowemetwentycents。"

MechanicallyIlaidtwodimesuponthetable。

"Alltheotherexpenses，"continuedEdgar，"whichIagreedtopay，Ihavepaid。"Hemadeaperemptorygesture。"Iwon’tdetainyouanylonger，"hesaid。"Good—night！"

"Good—night！"Icried。"Don’tIseethetreasure？"Againstthewallsofchilledsteelmyvoiceroselikethatofatorturedsoul。

"Don’tItouchit！"Iyelled。"Don’tIevengetasquint？"

Eventhewatchmenlookedsorryforme。

"Youdonot！"saidEdgarcalmly。"Youhavefulfilledyourpartoftheagreement。Ihavefulfilledmine。Ayearfromnowyoucanwritethestory。"AsImovedinadazedstatetowardthesteeldoor，hisvoicehaltedme。

"Andyoucansayinyourstory，"calledEdgar，"thatthereisonlyonewaytogetaburiedtreasure。Thatistogo，andgetit！"

THECONSUL

Foroverfortyyears，inonepartoftheworldoranother，oldmanMarshallhad，servedhiscountryasaUnitedStatesconsul。HehadbeenappointedbyLincoln。Foraquarterofacenturythatfactwashisdistinction。Itwasnowhisepitaph。Butinformeryears，aseachnewadministrationsucceededtheold，ithadagainandagainsavedhisofficialhead。Whenvictoriousandvoraciousplace—hunters，searchingthemapoftheworldforspoils，dugouthishiding—placeanddemandedhisconsularsignasarewardforayoungerandmoreaggressivepartyworker，theghostofthedeadPresidentprotectedhim。IntheStateDepartment，Marshallhadbecomeatradition。"Youcan’ttouchHim！"theStateDepartmentwouldsay；"why，HEwasappointedbyLincoln！"Secretly，forthisweaponagainstthehungryheadhunters，thedepartmentwasinfinitelygrateful。OldmanMarshallwasaconsulafteritsownheart。Likeasoldier，hewasobedient，disciplined；whereverhewassent，there，withoutquestion，hewouldgo。Neveragainstexile，againstill—health，againstclimatedidhemakecomplaint。