I'll not be any help at
digging, you know."

"Has anyone ever suspected you of being useful in any capacity?"
demands Old Hickory.

"Oh, come!" protests Dudley. "I play a fair game of bridge, don't I?"

"Exception allowed," says Mr. Ellins. "And I may say, to quiet any
similar fears, that the entire burden of the treasure hunt will be
undertaken by Mrs. Hemmingway, the Captain, and myself. Incidentally,
we expect to divide the spoils among ourselves. Aside from that, we
ask you to share with us the pleasure and perhaps the perils of the
trip."

"O-o-o-oh!" coos Mrs. Mumford, meanin' nothing at all.

"We have secured a good-sized, comfortable yacht," goes on Old Hickory.
"You will each have a stateroom, assigned by lot. Meal hours and the
menu will be left to the discretion of a competent steward.

"We sail on Wednesday, promptly at 11 A.M. Just when we shall return I
can't say. It may be in a month, possibly two. You will need to dress
for the tropics--thin clothing, sun helmets, colored glasses, all that
sort of thing.

"And you need not be surprised to learn that the yacht is somewhat
heavily armed. On the forward deck you will see something wrapped in
canvas. To anticipate your curiosity I will state now that this is a
machine for making and distributing poisonous gas, as our treasure
island is infested with rattlesnakes and mosquitos. It may also be
useful in discouraging anyone who tries to interfere with our
enterprise. Am I correct, Captain Killam?"

"Quite," says Rupert, noddin' his head solemn.

"And now," says Old Hickory, "having been thoroughly frank with you, I
ask that this information be treated as confidential. Also, will any
of you who wish to reconsider your acceptances kindly say so at once?
How about you, Simms?"

"As you know, Ellins," says J. Dudley, "I am a timid, fearsome person.
Do I understand that you three assume all responsibility, all risks?"

"Absolutely," says Mr. Ellins.

"Then here is an opportunity to indulge in vicarious adventure," says
Dudley, "which I can't afford to miss. I'll go; but I shall expect
when the time comes, Ellins, that you will conduct yourself in an
utterly reckless manner, while I watch you through a porthole."

"And you, Professor?" goes on Mr. Ellins.

"If I can secure a specimen of the _rivoluta splendens_," says
Leonidas, "I shall gladly take any chances."

"Isn't the dear Professor just too heroic?" coos Mrs. Mumford. "It
wil