their captors.

"Just listen to him!" said Croyden, as Hook-nose took a fresh start.
"Did you ever hear his equal!... Now, if you'll be quiet a moment, like
your pal, we will tell you something that possibly you'll not be averse
to hear.... So, that's better. We're about to release you--let you go
free; it's too much bother to keep you prisoners. These little toy guns
of yours, however, we shall throw into the Bay, in interest of the
public peace. May we trouble you, Mr. Axtell, to remove the bonds?...
Thank you! Now, you may arise and shake yourselves--you'll, likely,
find the circulation a trifle restricted, for a few minutes."

Hook-nose gave him a malevolent look, but made no reply, Bald-head
grinned broadly.

"Now, if you have sufficiently recovered, we will escort you to your
carriage! Forward, march!"

And with the two thieves in front, and the three revolvers bringing up
the rear, they proceeded to the buggy. The thieves climbed in.

"We wish you a very good day!" said Croyden. "Drive on, please!"

XI

ELAINE CAVENDISH

"May we have seen the last of you!" said Macloud, as the buggy
disappeared among the trees; "and may the police provide for you in
future."

"And while you're about it," said Croyden, "you might pray that we find
the treasure--it would be quite as effective." He glanced at his watch.
"It's four o'clock. Now, to resume where those rogues interrupted us.
We had the jewels located, somewhere, within a radius of fifty feet.
They must be, according to our theory, either on the bank or in the
Bay. We can't go at the water without a boat. Shall we tackle the land
at once? or go to town and procure a boat, and be ready for either in
the morning."

"I have an idea," said Macloud.

"Don't let it go to waste, old man, let's have it!" Croyden
encouraged.

"If you can give up hearing yourself talk, for a moment, I'll try!"
laughed Macloud. "It is conceded, I believe, that digging on the Point
by day may, probably will, provoke comment and possibly investigation
as well. My idea is this. Do no work by day. Then as soon as dusky
Night has drawn her robes about her----"

"Oh, Lord!" ejaculated Croyden, with upraised hands.

"Then, as soon as dusky Night has drawn her robes about her," Macloud
repeated, imperturbably, "we set to work, by the light of the silvery
moon. We arouse no comment--provoke no investigation. When morning
dawns, the sands are undisturbed, and we are sleeping as p