anything to show your brother-in-law that
Bodge ain't a blank."

The Cap'n turned discouraged gaze on his friend. "I've got to give
it up," he complained. "I ain't crook enough. He's done me, and I'll
have to stay done."

Hiram tapped the ashes from his cigar, musingly surveyed his diamond
ring, and at last said: "I ain't a butter-in. But any time you get
ready to holler for advice from friends, just holler."

"I holler," said the Cap'n, dispiritedly.

"Holler heard by friends," snapped Hiram, briskly. "Friends all
ready with results of considerable meditation. You go right over and
tell your esteemed relative that you're organizin' an expedition to
discover Cap Kidd's treasure, and invite him to go along as member
of your family, free gratis for nothin', all bills paid, and much
obleeged to him for pleasant company."

"Me pay the bills?" demanded the Cap'n.

"Money advanced for development work on Bodge, that's all! To be
taken care of when Bodge is watered ready for sale. Have thorough
understandin' with esteemed relative that no shares in Bodge are for
sale. Esteemed relative to be told that any attempt on the trip to
buy into Bodge will be considered fightin' talk. Bodge and all
results from Bodge are yours, and you need him along--esteemed
relative--to see that you have a square deal. That removes suspicion,
and teases at the same time."

"Will he go?" asked Cap'n Sproul, anxiously.

"He will," declared Hiram, with conviction. "A free trip combined
with a chance of perhaps doin' over again such an easy thing as you
seem to be won't ever be turned down by Colonel Gideon Ward."

At nine o'clock that evening Cap'n Sproul knocked at Hiram Look's
front door and stumped in eagerly. "He'll go!" he reported. "Now let
me in on full details of plan."

"Details of plan will be handed to you from time to time as you need
'em in your business," said Hiram, firmly. "I don't dare to load you.
Your trigger acts too quick."

"For a man that is handlin' Bodge, and is payin' all the bills, I
don't seem to have much to do with this thing," grunted the Cap'n,
sullenly.

"I'll give you something to do. To-morrow you go round town and hire
half a dozen men--say, Jackson Denslow, Zeburee Nute, Brad Wade, Seth
Swanton, Ferd Parrott, and Ludelphus Murray. Be sure they're all
members of the Ancient and Honorable Firemen's Association."

"Hire 'em for what?"

"Treasure-huntin' crew. I'll go with you. I'm their foreman, and