ur own property, and you may
dispose of it as you wish."

"But it isn't our property. Without you it would never have been
discovered, and we shall refuse to take it unless you share with us"
exclaimed George.

"No, Professor, I can never consent to that disposition of it," was
Harry's determined expression, "and for my part nothing shall be done in
the matter without you agree with us on the course to follow."

The Professor reflected a while, and then answered: "As for myself I
have very little need for it, and there is no one near or dear to me
that I would willingly leave it to." With his head bowed, he became
silent, and then continued, in a most eager manner: "I had entirely
forgotten. I have some who are near and dear to me; I ought to remember
them, after all, and as you insist on it, you will pardon me, I know, if
I consent to take a portion of it, at least."

"It must be divided into thirds. I am sure there is enough there to make
a great many people happy."

"Weren't you boys happy before you acquired this treasure?"

"Yes; as happy as we could be in our condition."

"Do you think the treasure in the cave would make you any happier than
you have been?"

"Well, if we ever get out of here we can use it to good advantage."

"That is the whole secret of happiness with wealth--the knowledge of how
to use it."

When they left the Professor the boys wondered why at first he declared
that he had no one that he cared to leave the money to, and then
suddenly remembered that he did have some whom he cared for. The
Professor was as much a mystery to them as many of the things which had
come to them during their sojourn on the island. This was, in fact, the
only information that they had ever gleaned from him concerning his
home, his family, or his friends, and that was very meager at the most.

The boys were anxious to revisit the cave, and the Professor was pleased
at their determination, but advised them to make the visit themselves,
and to endeavor to find out the full extent of the subterranean
windings, and also suggested that they should try to make a working
chart of it for their own information.

It was a little difficult now, since the close association had grown up
between Harry and Tom, on the one hand, and George and Ralph on the
other, to find a suitable excuse for the absence of Harry and George,
but the Professor arranged this without creating suspicion on their
part.

"I think Ralph is a