ted the engines, slipped the cable and ran the Fortuna high and dry
on shore, tumbled over the bow and arrived in time to checkmate his
little game. I'm glad, too!"

"So are we!" heartily agreed the boys with one accord.

"But what are we to do with this chap?" queried Jack. "It rather worries
me. He's apt to be a white elephant on our hands."

"It would serve him good and right," began Arnold, "and be only justice,
too, if we marooned him on this very island where he left Frank. I think
that's the best way out of the whole thing."

"Let's set the chap down by the fire," Tom suggested, "while we argue it
out. There's still a little raw edge on the wind."

Tom was right, and although the fog of the morning had gone, the air was
still damp and the wind from the Gulf was heavy with moisture that
chilled the boys when not in motion. Accordingly, following the lad's
suggestion, they directed their steps toward one of the fires kindled
earlier by Frank. There they seated themselves while Tom with one
automatic and Jack with another watched Wyckoff.

"Perhaps the prisoner at the bar may have a suggestion in the premises,"
ventured Frank. "We want to be square with you, Wyckoff, even if you
have treated us exceedingly unkind."

"I want you fellows to take your gear and go back north!" shouted
Wyckoff in an angry tone. "I'll fix you yet for this!"

"We have a right to be here," Jack put in, "so long as we don't harm
anyone. We are merely tourists out for a pleasure trip."

"You lie!" almost screamed Wyckoff. "You're after the Spanish Chest, but
you shall never have it! It belongs to me!"

In his excitement the prisoner almost forgot himself and shook his fist
at Jack threateningly, rising to his feet meanwhile.

"Sit down!" Tom's voice, although calm, carried a world of meaning to
the excited man whose glance toward Tom took in the unwavering blue
muzzle of the Weapon in his captor's hand.

"Suppose for the sake of argument that we were after this mythical chest
of treasure whose value has been without doubt multiplied many times in
the retailing of its story," Jack argued, "does that imply that we are
committing a crime against you? Have you any more claim on the chest
that you mention than we have?"

"Yes!" shouted the angry Wyckoff. "I am a lineal descendant from the
Spaniards who buried it. It is mine because it is in the family. I don't
know what word you educated Yankees would use, but it is mine because it