I was to _consider_ your claim, when I found there were no
heirs."

"O, you mean to cheat me out of it."

"I promised to _consider_ your claim. But in the mean time I don't want
anything said about this money in Rockhaven. It would make too much
talk."

"O, you want me to keep the secret--do you?" demanded Mr. Redmond, with
a new gleam of hope.

"I do." And Leopold explained some of the reasons which induced him to
desire that the hidden treasure should still remain a secret.

"If you mean to do the fair thing, of course I shall keep still, you
know. Give me my share, and I will keep as still as the man that has
gone to the happy hunting-ground."

"I can't promise anything."

"Neither can I," said the fop, angrily; for by this time he had come to
the conclusion that Leopold did not intend to do "the fair thing."

The money-digger was appalled to think of having the story of the buried
treasure told all over Rockhaven, and perhaps being compelled to hand it
over to his father before he had made any effort to find the heirs of
the lost passenger. On the other hand, he could neither divide the money
at the present time, nor promise to do so in the future, with the
troublesome visitor; and the former was the less of the two evils. The
appearance of the young ladies on the beach, as they emerged from the
Hole in the Wall, put an end to the argument; but Leopold hoped yet that
he should be able to prevail upon Mr. Redmond to be silent in regard to
the treasure.

"I am very glad to see you again, ladies," said the fop, running toward
them as they approached. "I hope you will pardon me for leaving you, and
for not returning, for a matter of some little importance prevented me
from joining you again."

"You are very excusable, Mr. Redmond," replied Rosabel. "We contrived to
pass away the time in your absence."

"Thank you for your kind consideration."

"We didn't suffer much for the want of you, Charley Redmond," added
Belle.

The party immediately embarked in the Rosabel, which was soon under way
on the return to Rockhaven. But the wind was dead ahead, and even
fresher than when they had come down to High Rock. Leopold stood
directly out to sea, making only one tack in reaching the river. It was
very rough, and Mr. Redmond soon lost all his elasticity of spirit, and
forgot all about the hidden treasure of High Rock, in his fears for his
own safety. But, in spite of the gale, the Rosabel went into the river
wit