第1章

Thisisatruestoryofasearchforburiedtreasure。TheonlypartthatisnottrueisthenameofthemanwithwhomIsearchedforthetreasure。UnlessIkeephisnameoutofithewillnotletmewritethestory，and，asitwashisexpeditionandasmyshareofthetreasureisonlywhatIcanmakebywritingthestory，I mustwriteashedictates。Ithinkthestoryshouldbetold，becauseourexperiencewasunique，andmightbeofbenefittoothers。And，besides，Ineedthemoney。 Thereis，however，noagreementpreventingmefromdescribinghimasIthinkheis，orreporting，asaccuratelyasIcan，whathesaidanddidashesaidanddidit。 ForpurposesofidentificationIshallcallhimEdgarPowell。Thelastnamehasnosignificance；butthefirstnameisnotchosenatrandom。Theleaderofourexpedition，theheadandbrainsofit，wasandisthesortofmanonewouldaddressasEdgar。Noonewouldthinkofcallinghim\"Ed，\"or\"Eddie，\"anymorethanhewouldconsiderslappinghimontheback。 Weweretogetheratcollege；but，assixhundredotherboyswerethereatthesametime，thatgivesnoclewtohisidentity。Sincethosedays，untilhecametoseemeaboutthetreasure，wehadnotmet。AllIknewofhimwasthathehadsucceededhisfatherinmanufacturingunshrinkableflannels。Ofcourse，thereaderunderstandsthatisnotthearticleofcommercehemanufactures； butitisnearenough，anditsuggeststhelineofbusinesstowhichhegiveshislife’sblood。Itisnotsimilartomyownlineofwork，andinconsequence，whenhewroteme，ontheunshrinkableflannelsofficialwriting—paper，thathewishedtoseemeinreferencetoamatterofbusinessof\"mutualbenefit，\"Iwasconsiderablypuzzled。 Afewdayslater，atnineinthemorning，anhourofhisownchoosing，hecametomyroomsinNewYorkCity。 Exceptthathehadgrownabeard，hewasasIrememberedhim，thinandtall，butwithnochest，andstoopingshoulders。Heworeeye—glasses，andasofoldthroughtheseheregardedyoudisapprovinglyandwarilyasthoughhesuspectedyoumighttrytoborrowmoney，orevenjokewithhim。AswithEdgarIhadneverfeltanytemptationtodoeither，thiswasirritating。 Butfromforceofformerhabitwegreetedeachotherbyourfirstnames，andhesuspiciouslyacceptedacigar。Then，afterfixingmebothwithhiseyesandwithhiseye—glassesandswearingmetosecrecy，hebeganabruptly。 \"Ourmills，\"hesaid，\"areinNewBedford；andIownseveralsmallcottagesthereandinFairhaven。Irentthemoutatamoderaterate。Theotherdayoneofmytenants，aPortuguesesailor，wastakensuddenlyillandsentforme。HehadmademanyvoyagesinandoutofBedfordtotheSouthSeas，whaling，andhetoldmeonhislastvoyagehehadtouchedathisformerhomeatTeneriffe。Therehisgrandfatherhadgivenhimadocumentthathadbeenlefthimbyhisfather。Hisgrandfathersaiditcontainedanimportantsecret，butonethatwasofvalueonlyinAmerica，andthatwhenhereturnedtothatcontinenthemustbeverycarefultowhomheshowedit。HetoldmeitwaswritteninakindofEnglishhecouldnotunderstand，andthathehadbeenafraidtoletanyoneseeit。 Hewantedmetoacceptthedocumentinpaymentoftherentheowedme，withtheunderstandingthatIwasnottolookatit，andthatifhegotwellIwastogiveitback。Ifhepulledthrough，hewastopaymeinsomeotherway；butifhediedIwastokeepthedocument。Aboutamonthagohedied，andIexaminedthepaper。Itpurportstotellwherethereisburiedapirate’streasure。And，\" addedEdgar，gazingatmeseverelyandasthoughhechallengedmetocontradicthim，Iintendtodigforit！\" HadhetoldmehecontemplatedcrossingtheRockyMountainsinaBabyWright，orleadingacotillon，Icouldnothavebeenmoreastonished。IamafraidIlaughedaloud。 \"You！\"Iexclaimed。\"Searchforburiedtreasure？\" Mytonevisiblyannoyedhim。Eventheeye—glassesradiateddisapproval。 \"Iseenothingamusingintheidea，\"Edgarprotestedcoldly。\"Itisaplainbusinessproposition。Ifindtheoutlaywillbesmall，andifIamsuccessfulthereturnsshouldbelarge；ataroughestimateaboutonemilliondollars。\" Evento—day，notrueAmerican，atthethoughtofonemilliondollars，canremaincovered。Hislettertomehadsaid，\"forourmutualbenefit。\"Ibecamerespectfulandpolite，Imightevensayabject。Afterall，thetiesthatbindusinthosedearoldcollegedaysarenotlightlytobedisregarded。 \"IfIcanbeofanyservicetoyou，Edgar，oldman，\"Iassuredhimheartily，\"ifIcanhelpyoufindit，youknowIshallbeonlytoohappy。\"WithregretIobservedthatmygenerousofferdidnotseemtodeeplymovehim。 \"Icametoyouinthismatter，\"hecontinuedstiffly，\"becauseyouseemedtobethesortofpersonwhowouldbeinterestedinasearchforburiedtreasure。\" \"Iam，\"Iexclaimed。\"Alwayshavebeen。\" \"Haveyou，\"hedemandedsearchingly，\"anypracticalexperience？\" Itriedtoappearatease；butIknewthenjusthowthemanwhoappliestolookafteryourfurnacefeels，whenyouaskhimifhecanalsorunasixtyhorse—powerdynamo。 \"IhaveneveractuallyFOUNDanyburiedtreasure，\"Iadmitted；\"butIknowwherelotsofitis，andIknowjusthowtogoafterit。\"I endeavoredtodazzlehimwithexpertknowledge。 \"Ofcourse，\"Iwentonairily，\"IamfamiliarwithalltheexpeditionsthathavetriedfortheoneonCocosIsland，andIknowallaboutthePeruviantreasureonTrinidad，andthelosttreasuresofJalisconearGuadalajara，andthesunkengalleonontheGrandCayman，andwhenIwasontheIsleofPinesIhadseveralverytemptingofferstosearchthere。AndthelateCaptainBoyntoninvitedme————\" \"But，\"interruptedEdgarinatonethatwouldtoleratenotrifling，\"youyourselfhaveneverfinancedororganizedanexpeditionwiththeobjectinviewof————\" \"Oh，thatpart’seasy！\"Iassuredhim。\"Thefitting—outpartyoucansafelyleavetome。\"IassumedaconfidencethatIhopedhemightbelievewasreal。\"There’salwaysatrampsteamerintheErieBasin，\"Isaid，\"thatonecancharterforanykindofadventure，andIhavetheaddressesofenoughsoldiersoffortune，filibusters，andprofessionalrevolutioniststomanabattle—ship，allfinefellowsinatightcorner。AndI’llpromiseyouthey’llfollowustohell，andback————\" \"That！\"exclaimedEdgar，\"isexactlywhatIfeared！\" \"Ibegyourpardon！\"Iexclaimed。 \"That’sexactlywhatIDON’Twant，\"saidEdgarsternly。\"Idon’tINTENDtogetintoanytightcorners。Idon’tWANTtogotohell！\" IsawthatinmyenthusiasmIhadperhapsalarmedhim。Icontinuedmoretemperately。 \"Anyexpeditionaftertreasure，\"Ipointedout，\"isneverwithoutrisk。Youmusthavediscipline，andyoumusthavepickedmen。 Supposethere’samutiny？Supposetheytrytorobusofthetreasureonourwayhome？Wemusthavemenwecanrelyon，andmenwhoknowhowtopumpaWinchester。Icangetyouboth。AndBannermanwillfurnishmewithanythingfromapairoflegginstoaquickfiringgun，andonClarkStreetthey’llquotemeaspecialrateonshipstores，hydraulicpumps，divers’helmets————\" Edgar’seye—glassesbecamefrostedwithcold，condemnatoryscorn。 Heshookhisheaddisgustedly。 \"Iwasafraidofthis！\"hemurmured。 Iendeavoredtoreassurehim。 \"Alittledanger，\"Ilaughed，\"onlyaddstothefun。\" \"Iwantyoutounderstand，\"exclaimedEdgarindignantly，\"thereisn’tgoingtobeanydanger。Thereisn’tgoingtobeanyfun。Thisisaplainbusinessproposition。Iaskedyouthosequestionsjusttotestyou。AndyouapproachedthematterexactlyasIfearedyouwould。Iwaspreparedforit。Infact，\"heexplainedshamefacedly，\"I’vereadseveralofyourlittlestories，andIfindtheyruntoadventureandbloodandthunder；theyarenotoftheanalyticalschooloffiction。Judgingfromthem，\"headdedaccusingly，\"youhaveatendencytotheromantic。\"HespokereluctantlyasthoughsayingIhadatendencytoepilepticfitsorthemorphinehabit。 \"Iamafraid，\"Iwasforcedtoadmit，\"thattomepiratesandburiedtreasurealwayssuggestadventure。Andyourcriticismofmywritingsiswellobserved。Othershavediscoveredthesamefatalweakness。Wecannotall，\"Ipointedout，\"manufactureunshrinkableflannels。\" Atthiscomplimenttohismorefortunatecondition，Edgarseemedtosoften。 \"Igrantyou，\"hesaid，\"thatthesubjecthasalmostinvariablybeenapproachedfromthepointofviewyoutake。Andwhat，\"hedemandedtriumphantly，\"hasbeentheresult？Failure，oratleast，beforesuccesswasattained，amostunnecessaryandregrettablelossofbloodandlife。Now，onmyexpedition，Idonotintendthatanybloodshallbeshed，orthatanybodyshalllosehislife。I havenotenteredintothismatterhastily。Ihavetakenoutinformation，andmeantobenefitbyotherpeople’smistakes。WhenIdecidedtogoonwiththis，\"heexplained，\"Ireadallthebooksthatbearonsearchesforburiedtreasure，andIfoundthatineachcasethesamemistakesweremade，andthatthen，inordertoremedythemistakes，itwasinvariablynecessarytokillsomebody。Now，bynotmakingthosemistakes，itwillnotbenecessaryformetokillanyone，andnobodyisgoingtohaveachancetokillme。 \"Youproposethatwefitoutaschoonerandsignonacrew。Whatwillhappen？Amanwithasabrecutacrosshisforehead，orwithablackpatchoveroneeye，willinevitablybeoneofthatcrew。And，assoonaswesail，hewillatoncebegintoplotagainstus。A cabinboywhotheconspiratorsthinkisasleepinhisbunkwilloverheartheirplotandwillruntothequarter—decktogivewarning；butapistolshotringsout，andthecabinboyfallsatthefootofthecompanionladder。Thecabinboyisalwaysthefirstonetogo。Afterthatthemutineerskillthefirstmate，andlockusinourcabin，andtakeovertheship。Theywillthenbroachacaskofrum，andallthroughthenightwewilllistentotheirdrunkenhowlings，andfromthecabinairportwatchthebodyofthefirstmaterollingintheleescuppers。\" \"Butyouforget，\"Iprotestedeagerly，\"thereisalwaysONE faithfulmemberofthecrew，who————\" Edgarinterruptedmeimpatiently。 \"Ihavenotoverlookedhim，\"hesaid。\"HeisaJamaicanegroofgiganticproportions，ortheship’scook；buthealwaysgetshistoo，andhegetsitgood。TheythrowHIMtothesharks！Thenweallcampoutonadesertislandinhabitedonlybygoats，andwebuildastockade，andthemutineerscometotreatwithusunderawhiteflag，andwe，trustingentirelytotheirhonor，arefoolsenoughtogooutandtalkwiththem。Atwhichtheyshootusup，andwithdrawlaughingscornfully。\"Edgarfixedhiseye—glassesuponmeaccusingly。 \"AmIright，oramIwrong？\"hedemanded。Iwasunabletoanswer。 \"Theonlyman，\"continuedEdgarwarmlywhoevershowedtheslightestintelligenceinthematterwasthefellowinthe’GoldBug。HEkepthismouthshut。Heneverletanyoneknowthathewasafterburiedtreasure，untilhefoundit。That’sme！NowIknowEXACTLYwherethistreasureis，and————\" Isuppose，involuntarily，Imusthavegivenastartofinterest； forEdgarpausedandshookhishead，slylyandcunningly。\"AndifyouthinkIhavethemaponmypersonnow，\"hedeclaredintriumph，\"you’llhavetoguessagain！\" \"Really，\"Iprotested，\"Ihadnointention————\" \"Notyou，perhaps，\"saidEdgargrudgingly；\"butyourJapanesevaletconcealshimselfbehindthosecurtains，followsmehome，andatnight————\" \"Ihaven’tgotavalet，\"Iobjected。 Edgarmerelysmiledwiththemostaggravatingself—sufficiency。 \"Itmakesnodifference，\"hedeclared。\"NOONEwilleverfindthatmap，orseethatmap，orknowwherethattreasureis，untilIpointtothespot。\" \"Yourcautionisadmirable，\"Isaid；\"butwhat，\"Ijeered，\"makesyouthinkyoucanpointtothespot，becauseyourmapsayssomethinglike，’ThroughtheSunkenValleytoWitch’sCaldron，fourpointsN。byN。E。toGallowsHillwheretheshadowfallsatsunrise，fiftyfathomswest，fiftypacesnorthasthecrowflies，totheSevenWells’？Howthedeuce，\"Idemanded，\"isanyonegoingtopointtothatspot？\" \"Itisn’tthatkindofmap，\"shoutedEdgartriumphantly。\"Ifithadbeen，Iwouldn’thavegoneonwithit。It’samapanybodycanreadexceptahalf—castePortuguesesailor。It’sasplainasalaundrybill。Itsays，\"hepausedapprehensively，andthencontinuedwithcaution，\"itsaysatsuchandsuchaplacethereisasomething。Somanysomethingsfromthatsomethingarethreewhat—you—may—call—’ems，andinthecentreofthesethreewhat—you—may—call—’emsisburiedthetreasure。It’sasplainasthat！\" \"Evenwiththefewdetailsyouhaveletescapeyou，\"Isaid，\"I couldfindTHATspotinmysleep。\" \"Idon’tthinkyoucould，\"saidEdgaruncomfortably；butIcouldseethathehadmentallywarnedhimselftobelesscommunicative。 \"And，\"hewenton，\"Iamwillingtoleadyoutoit，ifyousubscribetocertainconditions。\" Edgar’sinsultingcautionhadruffledmyspirit。 \"WhydoyouthinkyoucantrustME？\"Iaskedhaughtily。Andthen，rememberingmyshareofthemilliondollars，Iaddedinhaste，\"I accepttheconditions。\" \"Ofcourse，asyousay，onehasgottotakeSOMErisk，\"Edgarcontinued；\"butIfeelsure，\"hesaid，regardingmedoubtfully，\"youwouldnotstooptoopenrobbery。\"Ithankedhim。 \"Well，untiloneistempted，\"saidEdgar，\"oneneverknowsWHAThemightdo。AndI’vesimplyGOTtohaveoneotherman，andIpickedonyoubecauseIthoughtyoucouldwriteaboutit。\" \"Isee，\"Isaid，\"Iamtoactasthehistorianoftheexpedition。\" \"Thatwillbearrangedlater，\"saidEdgar。\"WhatIchieflywantyouforistodig。Canyoudig？\"heaskedeagerly。ItoldhimIcould； butthatIwouldratherdoalmostanythingelse。 \"IMUSThaveoneotherman，\"repeatedEdgar，\"amanwhoisstrongenoughtodig，andstrongenoughtoresistthetemptationtomurderme。\"TheretortwassoeasythatIletitpass。Besides，onEdgar，itwouldhavebeenwasted。 \"ITHINKyouwilldo，\"hesaidwithreluctance。\"Andnowtheconditions！\" Ismiledagreeably。 \"Youarealreadysworntosecrecy，\"saidEdgar。\"Andyounowagreeineverydetailtoobeymeimplicitly，andtoaccompanymetoacertainplace，whereyouwilldig。IfIfindthetreasure，youagree，tohelpmeguardit，andconveyittowhereverIdecideitissafetoleaveit。Yourresponsibilityisthenatanend。Oneyearafterthetreasureisdiscovered，youwillbefreetowritetheaccountoftheexpedition。Forwhatyouwrite，somemagazinemaypayyou。Whatitpaysyouwillbeyourshareofthetreasure。\" Ofmypartofthemilliondollars，whichIhadhastilycalculatedcouldnotbelessthanone—fifth，Ihadalreadyspentoveronehundredthousanddollarsandwaslivingfarbeyondmymeans。IhadboughtafarmwithawaterfrontontheSound，amotor—boat，and，asIwasnotsurewhichmakeIpreferred，threeautomobiles。Ihadatmyown，expenseproducedaplayofminethatnomanagerhadappreciated，anditsnameinelectriclightswasalreadyblindingBroadway。IhadpurchasedaHollanderexpressrifle，aREALambercigarholder，aprivatesecretarywhocouldplaybothrag—timeandtennis，andafurcoat。SoEdgar’sgenerousofferleftmenaked。 WhenIhadagainaccustomedmyselftothenarrowconfinesofmyflat，andthejoltofthesurfacecars，Iaskedhumbly： \"IsthatALLIget？\" \"Whyshouldyouexpectanymore？\"demandedEdgar。\"Itisn’tYOUR treasure。Youwouldn’texpectmetomakeyouapresentofaninterestinmymills；whyshouldyougetashareofmytreasure？\" Hegazedatmereproachfully。\"Ithoughtyou’dbepleased，\"hesaid。\"Itmustbehardtothinkofthingstowriteabout，andI’mgivingyouasubjectfornothing。Ithought，\"heremonstrated，\"you’djumpatthechance。Itisn’teverydayamancandigforburiedtreasure。\" \"That’sallright，\"Isaid。\"PerhapsIappreciatethatquiteaswellasyoudo。Butmytimehasacertainsmallvalue，andIcan’tleavemyworkjustforexcitement。Wemaybeweeks，months————Howlongdoyouthinkwe————\" Behindhiseye—glassesEdgarwinkedreprovingly。 \"Thatisaleadingquestion，\"hesaid。\"Iwillpayallyourlegitimateexpenses——transportation，food，lodging。Itwon’tcostyouacent。Andyouwritethestory——withmynameleftout，\"headdedhastily；\"itwouldhurtmystandinginthetrade，\"heexplained——\"andgetpaidforit。\" IsawaseavoyageatEdgar’sexpense。Isawpalmleaves，coralreefs。IfeltmymusclesachingandthesweatrunfrommyneckandshouldersasIdrovemypickintothechestofgold。 \"I’llgowithyou！\"Isaid。Weshookhandsonit。\"Whendowestart？\"Iasked。 \"Now！\"saidEdgar。Ithoughthewishedtotestme；hehadtouchedupononeofmypetvanities。 \"Youcan’tdothatwithme！\"Isaid。\"Mybagsarepackedandreadyforanyplaceinthewideworld，exceptthecoldplaces。Icanstartthisminute。Whereisit，theGoldCoast，theIvoryCoast，theSpanishMain————\" Edgarfrownedinscrutably。\"Haveyouanemptysuit—case？\"heasked。 \"WhyEMPTY？\"Idemanded。 \"Tocarrythetreasure，\"saidEdgar。\"Ileftmineinthehall。Wewillneedtwo。\" \"Andyourtrunks？\"Isaid。 \"Therearen’tgoingtobeanytrunks，\"saidEdgar。FromhispockethehadtakenafolderoftheNewJerseyCentralRailroad。\"Ifwehurry，\"heexclaimed，\"wecancatchtheten—thirtyexpress，andreturntoNewYorkintimefordinner。\" \"Andwhataboutthetreasure？\"Iroared。 \"We’ll’bringitwithus，\"saidEdgar。 Iaskedforinformation。Idemandedconfidences。Edgarrefusedboth。IinsistedthatImightbeallowedatleasttocarrymyautomaticpistol。\"Supposesomeonetriestotakethetreasurefromus？\"Ipointedout。 \"Noone，\"saidEdgarseverely，\"wouldbesuchanassastoimaginewearecarryingburiedtreasureinasuit—case。Hewillthinkitcontainspajamas。\" \"Forlocalcolor，then，\"Ibegged，\"IwanttosayinmystorythatIwentheavilyarmed。\" \"Sayit，then，\"snappedEdgar。\"Butyoucan’tDOit！Notwithme，youcan’t！HowdoIknowyoumightn’t————\"Heshookhisheadwarily。 ItwasadayinearlyOctober，thehazeofIndiansummerwasintheair，andaswecrossedtheNorthRiverbytheTwenty—thirdStreetFerrythesunflasheduponthewhitecloudsoverheadandthetumblingwatersbelow。OneachsideofusgreatvesselswiththeBluePeterattheforelayatthewharfsreadytocastoff，orwerealreadynosingtheirwaydownthechanneltowardstrangeandbeautifulports。LamportandHoltwererollingdowntoRio；theRoyalMail’sMAGDALENA，nolonger\"whiteandgold，\"wasofftoKingston，whereoncesevenpiratesswunginchains；theCLYDEwasonherwaytoHaytiwherethebuccaneerscamefrom；theMORRO CASTLEwasboundforHavana，whichMorgan，kingofallthepirates，hadoncemadehisown；andtheREDDwassteamingtoPortoCabellowhereSirFrancisDrake，asbigabuccaneerasanyofthem，liesentombedinherharbor。AndIwassettingforthonaburied—treasureexpeditiononasnub—nosed，flat—bellied，fresh—waterferry—boat，boundforJerseyCity！Noonewilleverknowmysenseofhumiliation。And，whentheItalianboyinsultedmyimmaculatetanshoesbypointingatthemandsaying，\"Shine？\"I couldhaveslainhim。Fancydiggingforburiedtreasureinfreshlyvarnishedboots！ButEdgardidnotmind。Tohimtherewasnothinglacking；itwasjustasitshouldbe。HewasdeeplyengrossedincalculatinghowmanyofficeswereforrentintheSingerBuilding！ Whenwereachedtheotherside，herefusedtoansweranyofmyeagerquestions。Hewouldnotletmeknowevenforwhatplaceonthelinehehadpurchasedourtickets，and，asahintthatIshouldnotdisturbhim，hestuffedintomyhandsthelatestmagazines。\"Atleasttellmethis，\"Idemanded。\"Haveyoueverbeentothisplacebeforeto—day？\" \"0nce，\"saidEdgarshortly，\"lastweek。That’swhenIfoundoutI wouldneedsomeonewithmewhocoulddig。\" \"Howdoyouknowit’stheRIGHTplace？\"Iwhispered。 Thesummerseasonwasover，andofthechaircarweweretheonlyoccupants；but，beforeheanswered，Edgarlookedcautiouslyroundhimandoutofthewindow。WehadjustpassedRedBank。 \"Becausethemaptoldme，\"heanswered。\"Suppose，\"hecontinuedfretfully，\"youhadamapofNewYorkCitywiththestreetsmarkedonitplainly？SupposethemapsaidthatifyouwalkedtowhereBroadwayandFifthAvenuemeet，youwouldfindtheFlatironBuilding。Doyouthinkyoucouldfindit？\" \"WasitaseasyasTHAT？\"Igasped。 \"ItwasaseasyasTHAT！\"saidEdgar。 Isankbackintomychairandletthemagazinesslidetothefloor。 Whatfictionstorywasthereinanyoneofthemsoenthrallingastheactualpossibilitiesthatlaybeforeme？IntwohoursImightbebendingoverapotofgold，aseacheststuffedwithpearlsandrubies！ IbegantorecallallthestoriesIhadheardasaboyoftreasureburiedalongthecoastbyKiddonhisreturnvoyagefromtheIndies。WherealongtheJerseysea—lineweretheresafeharbors？ ThetrainonwhichwewereracingsouthhaditsrailheadatBarnegatBay。AndbetweenBarnegatandRedBanktherenowwasbutoneotherinlet，thatoftheManasquanRiver。ItmightbeBarnegat； itmightbeManasquan。Itcouldnotbeagreatdistancefromeither；towardtheoceandownabroad，sandyroad。Theseasonhadpassedandthewindowsofthecottagesandbungalowsoneithersideoftheroadwerebarricadedwithplanks。Ontheverandashammocksabandonedtothewindshungintatters，onthebackporchesthedoorsofemptyrefrigeratorsswungopenononehinge，andoneverysideabovethefieldsofgorgeousgolden—rodrosesignsreading\"ForRent。\"Whenwehadprogressedinsilenceforamile，thesandyavenuelostitselfinthedeepersandofthebeach，andthehorseofhisownwillcametoahalt。 Ononesideweweresurroundedbylockedanddesertedbathinghouses，ontheotherbyemptypavilionsshutteredandbarredagainstthewinter，butstillinvitingoneto’Tryoursaltwatertaffy\"orto\"Keepcoolwithanice—creamsoda。\"RupertturnedandlookedinquiringlyatEdgar。TothenorththebeachstretchedinanunbrokenlinetoManasquanInlet。Tothesouththreemilesawaywecouldseefloatingonthehorizon—likeamiragethehotelsandsummercottagesofBayHead。 \"Drivetowardtheinlet，\"directedEdgar。\"ThisgentlemanandI willwalk。\" Relievedofourweight，thehorsestumbledbravelyintothetracklesssand，whilebelowonthedamperandfirmershinglewewalkedbytheedgeofthewater。 Thetidewascominginandthespentwaves，spreadingbeforethemanadvanceguardoftinyshellsandpebbles，threatenedourboots’ andatthesametimeinsoothing，lazywhisperswarnedusoftheirattack。Theselispingmurmursandthecrashandroarofeachincomingwaveasitbrokeweretheonlysounds。Andonthebeachweweretheonlyhumanfigures。Atlastthescenebegantobearsomeresemblancetoonesetforanadventure。Therollingocean，acoaststeamerdraggingagreatcolumnofblacksmoke，andcasthighuponthebeachthewreckofaschooner，hermaststiltingdrunkenly，gavecolortoourpurpose。Itbecamefilledwithgreaterpromiseofdrama，morepicturesque。Ibegantothrillwithexcitement。I regardedEdgarappealingly，ineagersupplication。Atlasthebrokethesilencethatwastorturingme。 \"Wewillnowwalkhigherup，\"hecommanded。\"Ifwegetourfeetwet，wemaytakecold。\" Myspiritwastoofarbrokentomakereply。ButtomyreliefIsawthatinleavingthebeachEdgarhadsomesecondpurpose。Witheachheavystephewasdrawingtowardtwohighbanksofsandinahollowbehindwhich，protectedbythebanks，werethreestunted，wind—drivenpines。Hiswordscamebacktome。 \"Somanywhat—you—may—call—’ems。\"Werethesepinesthethreesomethingsfromsomething，thewhat—you—may—call—’ems？Thethoughtchilledmetothespine。Igazedatthemfascinated。Ifeltlikefallingonmykneesinthesandandtearingtheirsecretfromthemwithmybarehands。Iwasstrongenoughtodigthemupbytheroots，strongenoughtodigthePanamaCanal！IglancedtremulouslyatEdgar。Hiseyeswerewideopenand，eloquentwithdismay，hislowerjawhadfallen。Heturnedandlookedatmeforthefirsttimewithconsideration。Apologyandremorsewerewrittenineverylineofhiscountenance。 I’msorry，hestammered。Ihadacruelpremonition。Iexclaimedwithdistress。 \"Youhavelostthemap！\"Ihissed。 \"No，no，\"protestedEdgar；\"butIentirelyforgottobringanylunch！\" WithviolentmutteringsItoreoffmyupperandoutergarmentsandtossedthemintothehack。 \"WheredoIbegin？\"Iasked。 Edgarpointedtoaspotinsidethetriangleformedbythethreetreesandequallydistantfromeach。 \"Putthathorsebehindthebank，\"Icommanded，\"wherenoonecanseehim！AndbothyouandRupertkeepoffthesky—line！\"Fromthenorthandsouthwewerenowallthreehiddenbythetwohighbanksofsand；totheeastlaythebeachandtheAtlanticOcean，andtotheweststretchesofmarshesthatamileawaymetawoodofpinetreesandtherailroadround—house。 Ibegantodig。Iknewthatwearyhourslaybeforeme，andI attackedthesandleisurelyandwithdeliberation。Itwasatfirstnogreateffort；butastheholegrewindepth，andtherootsofthetreeswereexposed，theworkwassufficientforseveralmen。 Still，asEdgarhadsaid，itisnoteverydaythatonecandigfortreasure，andinthinkingofwhatwastocomeIforgotmyhandsthatquicklyblistered，andmybreakingback。AfteranhourI insistedthatEdgarshouldtakeaturn；buthemadesuchpoorheadwaythatmypatiencecouldnotcontainme，andItoldhimIwassufficientlyrestedandwouldcontinue。Withalacrityhescrambledoutofthehole，and，takingacigarfrommycase，seatedhimselfcomfortablyinthehack。Itookmycomfortinanticipatingthethrillthatwouldbeminewhenthespadewouldringontheironboundchest；when，withablowoftheaxe，Iwouldexposetoviewthehiddenjewels，thepiecesofeight，coatedwithverdigris，thestringofpearls，thechainsofyellowgold。Edgarhadsaidamilliondollars。Thatmustmeantherewouldbediamonds，manydiamonds。Iwouldholdtheminmyhands，watchthem，atthesuddensunshine，blinktheireyesandburstintotiny，burningfires。InimaginationIwouldreplacetheminthesetting，fromwhich，yearsbefore，theyhadbeenstolen。Iwouldtrytoguesswhencetheycamefromajewelledchaliceinsomedimcathedral，fromthebreastofagreatlady，fromthehiltofanadmiral’ssword。 AfteranotherhourIliftedmyachingshouldersand，wipingthesweatfrommyeyes，lookedovertheedgeofthehole。Rupert，withhisbacktothesand—hill，wasasleep。Edgarwithonehandwaswavingawaythemosquitoesandintheotherwasholdingoneofthemagazineshehadboughtonthewaydown。Icouldevenseethepageuponwhichhiseyeswereriveted。Itwasanadvertisementforbreakfastfood。Inmyindignationthespadeslippedthroughmycrampedandperspiringfingers，andasitstruckthebottomofthepit，something——abandofiron，asteellock，anironring——gaveforthamuffledsound。MyheartstoppedbeatingassuddenlyasthoughMr。Corbetthadhititwithhisclosedfist。Mybloodturnedtomeltedice。Idrovethespadedownasfiercelyasthoughitwasadagger。Itsankintorottenwood。Ihadmadenosound；forI couldhardlybreathe。ButtheslightnoiseoftheblowhadreachedEdgar。Iheardthespringsofthehackcreakashevaultedfromit，andthenextmomenthewastoweringaboveme，peeringdownintothepit。Hiseyeswerewidewithexcitement，greed，andfear。Inhishandsheclutchedthetwosuit—cases。Likealiondefendinghiscubsheglaredatme。 \"Getout！\"heshouted。 \"Likehell！\"Isaid。 \"Getout！\"heroared。\"I’lldotherest。 That’smine，notyours！GETOUT！\" WithaswiftkickIbrushedawaythesand。IfoundIwasstandingonasquatwoodenbox，boundwithbandsofrustyiron。Ihadonlytostooptotouchit。ItwassorottenthatIcouldhavetornitapartwithmybarehands。Edgarwasdancingontheedgeofthepit，incidentallykickingsandintomymouthandnostrils。 \"YouPROMISEDme！\"heroared。\"YouPROMISEDtoobeyme！\" \"Youass！\"Ishouted。\"Haven’tIdoneallthework？Don’tI get————\" \"Yougetout！\"roaredEdgar。 Slowly，disgustedly，withwhatdignityonecandisplayincrawlingoutofasand—pit，Iscrambledtothetop。 \"Gooverthere，\"commandedEdgarpointing，\"andsitdown。\" InfurioussilenceIseatedmyselfbesideRupert。Hewasstillslumberingandsnoringhappily。FromwhereIsatIcouldseenothingofwhatwasgoingforwardinthepit，saveonce，whentheheadofEdgar，hiseyesaflameandhishairandeye—glassessprinkledwithsand，appearedaboveit。ApparentlyhewasfearfullestIhadmovedfromthespotwherehehadplacedme。Ihadnot； buthadheknownmyinmostfeelingshewouldhavetakentheaxeintothepitwithhim。 Imusthavesatsoforhalfanhour。Intheskyabovemeafish—hawkdriftedlazily。Fromthebeachsoundedthesteadybeatofthewaves，andfromthetownacrossthemarshescamethepuffingofalocomotiveandtheclangingbellsofthefreighttrains。Thebreezefromtheseacooledthesweatonmyachingbody；butitcouldnotcooltherageinmyheart。IfIhadthecourageofmyfeelings，IwouldhavecrackedEdgaroverheadwiththespade，buriedhiminthepit，bribedRupert，andforeverafterlivedhappilyonmyill—gottengains。ThatwashowKidd，orMorgan，orBlackbeardwouldhaveacted。Icursedtheeffetecivilizationwhichhadtaughtmetowantmanypleasuresbuthadleftmewithaconsciencethatwouldnotletmetakehumanlifetoobtainthem，notevenEdgar’slife。 Inhalfanhourasuit—casewasliftedintoviewanddroppedontheedgeofthepit。Itwasfollowedbytheother，andthenbyEdgar。 Withoutaskingmetohelphim，becauseheprobablyknewIwouldnot，heshovelledthesandintothehole，andthenplacedthesuitcasesinthecarriage。WithincreasingangerIobservedthatthecontentsofeachweresoheavythattoliftitheusedbothhands。 \"Thereisnouseyouraskinganyquestions，\"heannounced，\"becauseIwon’tanswerthem。\" Igavehimminutedirectionsastowherehecouldgo；butinsteadwedroveinblacksilencetothestation。ThereEdgarrewardedRupertwithadime，andwhilewewaitedforthetraintoNewYorkplacedthetwosuit—casesagainstthewalloftheticketofficeandsatuponthem。WhenthetrainarrivedhewarnedmeinahoarsewhisperthatIhadpromisedtohelphimguardthetreasure，andgavemeoneofthesuit—cases。Itweighedaton。JusttospiteEdgar，Ihadaplantokickitopen，sothateveryoneontheplatformmightscrambleforthecontents。ButagainmyinfernalNewEnglandconsciencerestrainedme。 Edgarhadsecuredthedrawing—roomintheparlor—car，andwhenweweresafelyinsideandthedoorboltedmycuriositybecamestrongerthanmypride。 \"Edgar，\"Isaid，\"youringratitudeiscontemptible。Yoursuspicionsareridiculous；but，underthesemostunusualconditions，Idon’tblameyou。Butwearequitesafenow。Thedoorisfastened，\"I pointedoutingratiatingly，itandthistraindoesn’tstopforanotherfortyminutes。Ithinkthiswouldbeanexcellenttimetolookatthetreasure。\"\"Idon’t！\"saidEdgar。 Isankbackintomychair。WithintenseenjoymentIimaginedthetraininwhichwewereseatedhurlingitselfintoanothertrain； andeverybody，includingEdgar，or，rather，especiallyEdgar，beinginstantlybutpainlesslykilled。Bysuchanactofanall—wiseProvidenceIwouldatoncebecomeheirtoonemilliondollars。Itwasabeautiful，satisfyingdream。EvenMYconscienceaccepteditwithasmugsmile。ItwassovividadreamthatIsatguiltilyexpectant，waitingforthecrashtocome，fortheshrieksandscreams，fortherushofescapingsteamandbreakingwindow—panes。 Butitwasfartoogoodtobetrue。WithoutajarthetraincarriedusanditspreciousburdeninsafetytotheJerseyCityterminal。 Andeach，withhalfamilliondollarsinhishand，hurriedtotheferry，assailedbyporters，news—boys，hackmen。Tothemwewereacoupleofcommuterssavingadimebycarryingourownhand—bags。 Itwasnowsixo’clock，andIpointedouttoEdgarthatatthathourtheonlyvaultsopenwerethoseoftheNightandDayBank。Andtothatinstitutioninataxicabweatoncemadeourway。Ipaidthechauffeur，andtwominuteslater，withagaspofreliefandrejoicing，Idroppedthesuit—caseIhadcarriedonatableinthesteel—walledfastnessesofthevaults。Gatheredexcitedlyaroundusweretheofficialsofthebank，summonedhastilyfromabove，andwatchmeninplainclothes，andwatchmeninuniformsofgray。Greatbarsasthickasmylegprotectedus。Wallsofchilledsteelrisingfromsolidrockstoodbetweenourtreasureandtheouterworld。 UntilthenIhadnotknownhowtremendousthenervousstrainhadbeen；butnowitcamehometome。Imoppedtheperspirationfrommyforehead，Idrewadeepbreath。 \"Edgar，\"Iexclaimedhappily，\"Icongratulateyou！\"IfoundEdgarextendingtowardmeatwo—dollarbill。\"Yougavethechauffeurtwodollars，\"’hesaid。\"Thefarewasreallyonedollareighty；soyouowemetwentycents。\" MechanicallyIlaidtwodimesuponthetable。 \"Alltheotherexpenses，\"continuedEdgar，\"whichIagreedtopay，Ihavepaid。\"Hemadeaperemptorygesture。\"Iwon’tdetainyouanylonger，\"hesaid。\"Good—night！\" \"Good—night！\"Icried。\"Don’tIseethetreasure？\"Againstthewallsofchilledsteelmyvoiceroselikethatofatorturedsoul。 \"Don’tItouchit！\"Iyelled。\"Don’tIevengetasquint？\" Eventhewatchmenlookedsorryforme。 \"Youdonot！\"saidEdgarcalmly。\"Youhavefulfilledyourpartoftheagreement。Ihavefulfilledmine。Ayearfromnowyoucanwritethestory。\"AsImovedinadazedstatetowardthesteeldoor，hisvoicehaltedme。 \"Andyoucansayinyourstory，\"calledEdgar，\"thatthereisonlyonewaytogetaburiedtreasure。Thatistogo，andgetit！\" THECONSUL Foroverfortyyears，inonepartoftheworldoranother，oldmanMarshallhad，servedhiscountryasaUnitedStatesconsul。HehadbeenappointedbyLincoln。Foraquarterofacenturythatfactwashisdistinction。Itwasnowhisepitaph。Butinformeryears，aseachnewadministrationsucceededtheold，ithadagainandagainsavedhisofficialhead。Whenvictoriousandvoraciousplace—hunters，searchingthemapoftheworldforspoils，dugouthishiding—placeanddemandedhisconsularsignasarewardforayoungerandmoreaggressivepartyworker，theghostofthedeadPresidentprotectedhim。IntheStateDepartment，Marshallhadbecomeatradition。\"Youcan’ttouchHim！\"theStateDepartmentwouldsay；\"why，HEwasappointedbyLincoln！\"Secretly，forthisweaponagainstthehungryheadhunters，thedepartmentwasinfinitelygrateful。OldmanMarshallwasaconsulafteritsownheart。Likeasoldier，hewasobedient，disciplined；whereverhewassent，there，withoutquestion，hewouldgo。Neveragainstexile，againstill—health，againstclimatedidhemakecomplaint。