, and then he
planned to get away with it."

"The piker!" cried Tom. "I think he should have been shot."

"He was," continued Jack, "or so the story goes. Some say he was shot by
his own people who discovered his treachery and some say he fell
defending the fort and incidentally the gold against an attack by
Indians. But whichever way it happened, report says that the gold was
buried in the fort by the survivors and has never been unearthed since.
Many people have tried to get it, but it is reported that a curse hangs
over this wealth and that no human being will be permitted to recover
it, unless related to the officer."

"Is that why Lawyer Geyer sent us after it?" asked Harry.

"I don't quite get your meaning," Jack said.

"Well, you said no human being would be permitted to get the coin and
then you said Lawyer Geyer sent us after it and--"

"I move we throw him overboard--he's a scoffer!" declared Tom.

"Second the motion," replied Jack laughing. "Sit still a while and
listen to me. The worst is yet to come."

"Go on, Jack!" breathlessly urged Arnold. "Tell the rest."

"Well here's the curious part of the story," Jack continued. "It is said
that only at certain stages of the moon and tide can one hope to find
this chest of treasure. Also it is reported that only one who is of
Spanish descent can hope to find it."

"Well, that lets us in," stoutly averred Harry. "Tom, here, is Spanish
and so am I. How about you, Rowdy?" he went on addressing the white
bulldog to whom he gave a friendly slap.

Rowdy responded with an affectionate attempt to "kiss" Harry's face and
then endeavored to distribute his favors to the others.

"Seriously," Jack continued, "I have little faith in the project. Lawyer
Geyer seems to half believe the story, however. He was down in this
country a while ago on some real estate business and while here got the
tale from some source that he considered fairly reliable. So he fitted
out the expedition and is willing to take half the proceeds, whatever it
may be, for his share."

"But it looks as if we are being opposed from the very start," objected
Tom. "Look at this visitor and the note he left. That must indicate that
there is a gang working against us. I'm a peaceful, orderly citizen and
not at all inclined to start anything."

"Yes, he is!" laughed Arnold. "Look at the way he put the rollers under
the gang of thugs at our camp at Mackinac Island!"

"Now, boys," continued Jack, b