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。