when he penned the words immediately following those that
I have just quoted; and I therefore conclude that it is somewhere in
that small island--a most suitable hiding-place, I think you will
admit--that the treasure lies concealed. And it is there also, I think,
that the two black rocks should be searched for. As to how the rocks
are to be identified, the writer speaks of them in such a manner as to
suggest that there is no possibility of mistaking them; and I therefore
infer that there are two rocks--_and two only_--that can possibly be
associated with the instructions given in the paper."
"Yes," said I; "I quite see your line of reasoning; and I believe you
are right. At all events, the suggestion is so reasonable that it is
quite worth following; and it is upon those lines that I shall advise
O'Gorman to go to work. Ah, by Jove! look there! I believe the fellow
actually means to stick to his bargain at last: here come the men with
the sails and so on that I have asked for; and to-night I hope you will
be able to rest in comparative coolness out here on deck, with an
awning, and all other proper shelter from the dew."
The boat, with half a dozen hands in her, was soon alongside, and by
midday we had not only an awning spread over the whole of the
after-deck, from the taffrail to the mainmast, but also a spacious
canvas sleeping-tent under it, divided into two compartments, and so
arranged that my companion might enjoy the most absolute privacy. The
steward also came off, and resumed possession of his usual quarters, and
as he was one of the quietest and most respectable men of the party, was
as good a cook as "the doctor" himself, and seemed genuinely anxious to
do his best for us, it soon appeared as though we were about to be
favoured with a spell of peace and quietness.
Meanwhile, O'Gorman religiously refrained from obtruding himself upon us
until I had dismissed the boat's crew upon the completion of their
labours, when he came aboard, ostensibly to ascertain whether everything
had been done to my satisfaction, but actually--as I soon discovered--to
claim the assistance that I had undertaken to afford him. And this, of
course, I was more than ready to give, now that I had obtained from him
what I wanted, being feverishly anxious to bring the entire adventure to
a conclusion as speedily as possible, in order that I might be free to
convey Miss Onslow in all safety and honour to her father's arms. So I
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