know. To be frank with you, nobody ever knew except
myself. I took the stuff and sank it in the water in a narrow channel
between two islands, and I made a little drawing of them on a piece of
paper."

"Exactly, my good friend, and where is that piece of paper?"

"Alas! sir, when I was lighting the fuses on board the _Swallow_, I let
it fall in my haste, and it is--in exactly the same place as are all
your worship's worthy comrades who were on board that ship. I believe,
however, that if you will put yourself under my guidance I could show
your Excellency the spot, and this, as I do not want to be killed, I
should be most happy to do."

"Good, simple man," said Ramiro with a little laugh, "how charming is
the prospect that you paint of a midnight row with you upon those lonely
waters; the tarantula and the butterfly arm in arm! Mynheer van Goorl,
what have you to say?"

"Only that the story told by Martin here is true. I do not know where
the money is, as I was not present at its sinking, and the paper has
been lost."

"Indeed? I am afraid, then, that it will be necessary for me to refresh
your memory, but, first, I have one more argument, or rather two. Has
it struck you that another life may hang upon your answer? As a rule men
are loth to send their fathers to death."

Foy heard, and terrible as was the hint, yet it came to him as a relief,
for he had feared lest he was about to say "your mother" or "Elsa
Brant."

"That is my first argument, a good one, I think, but I have--another
which may appeal even more forcibly to a young man and prospective heir.
The day before yesterday you became engaged to Elsa Brant--don't look
surprised; people in my position have long ears, and you needn't
be frightened, the young lady will not be brought here; she is too
valuable."

"Be so good as to speak plainly," said Foy.

"With pleasure. You see this girl is the heiress, is she not? and
whether or no I find out the facts from you, sooner or later, in this
way or that, she will doubtless discover where her heritage is hidden.
Well, that fortune a husband would have the advantage of sharing. I
myself labour at present under no matrimonial engagements, and am in a
position to obtain an introduction--ah! my friend, are you beginning to
see that there are more ways of killing a dog than by hanging him?"

Weak and wounded as he was, Foy's heart sank in him at the words of this
man, this devil who had betrayed his mother with