evolvers in my pocket, equivalent to the lives of
twelve men? Yes, I am strongly inclined to believe that this remarkable
little document is genuine, and that there is something very radically
wrong aboard that barque. What is it, I wonder? That Turnbull has
somehow got scent of the treasure, and is after it, I am almost prepared
to swear; his obvious vexation and disappointment at finding me here as
`the man in possession,' and his equally obvious efforts to shake me off
to-day that he might have an opportunity to go away by himself in search
of the cave, prove that; but there is something more than that, I am
certain. I wonder, now, whether his story of the sick man in the cabin
has anything to do with it? I should not be surprised if it had. And
where were the crew this morning? Turnbull spoke of being short-handed;
but surely there are more people aboard than himself, the steward, the
cook, and the two or three men I saw? Oh yes, there is something very
queer about the whole business; and this document is genuine. At all
events I will go off to-night, and hear what the steward has to say
about it."

In accordance with this resolution Leslie forthwith partook of a good
hearty meal, and then, extinguishing his lamp, left the tent--to guard
against the possibility of his being surprised there in his sleep--and,
walking over to the pile of goods that he had accumulated from the
brig's cargo, raised the tarpaulin that covered it, and, creeping
underneath, stretched himself out as comfortably as he could to snatch a
few hours' sleep, confident that the faculty which he possessed of being
able to wake at any desired moment would not play him false. And a few
minutes later he was fast asleep; for Dick Leslie was one of those men
who, when once they have resolved upon a certain course of action,
dismiss further consideration of it from their minds and allow it to
trouble them no longer.

He had fixed upon half-past eleven as the hour at which he would rise,
this allowing him a full hour in which to paddle off to the barque; and
when by-and-by he awoke, and under the shelter of the tarpaulin
cautiously struck a match and consulted his watch, he found that it was
within five minutes of the half-hour. He next peered out from under the
tarpaulin and carefully scanned the beach by the light of the stars, to
see whether Turnbull had sent a boat ashore in the hope of "catching a
weasel asleep;" but his own canoe was the