The following silence admitted the truth of his lament2. Saxe’s face set grimly. His tones came harsh, when at last he spoke3:
“We’ll keep on hunting,” he said; “only, now we’ll hunt Masters.”
Jake stood disconsolate4, scratching his head, and staring wistfully from one to another. It was evident that he accepted the catastrophe6 as irremediable. Not so Billy Walker! On the contrary, Saxe had hardly done speaking when the voice of the wise man came booming the decrees of ratiocination7, with the usual pedantic8 note of authority:
“The trouble with the disorderly mind is,” he began, with didacticism almost insulting, “that it jumps to a conclusion without due consideration of all the facts. Suddenly confronted with one fact, which is admitted, the[304] illogical person reaches a judgment9 without any scrutiny10 whatsoever11 of other vital facts concerned. Thus, in the instance before us!” He paused, and his little dull eyes, twinkling now from excitement, went from one to another of the three men before him, who listened too anxiously to be in the least offended, for his opening gave them hope. They knew by experience that Billy’s reasoning, notwithstanding all his boasts, was, indeed, usually exact, proven just by circumstance. The respectful attention on their faces was grateful to the seer. As he continued, his manner was more genial12, though no less breathing the ipse dixit.
“Jake has discovered that someone has been before us here, digging in this hole. That is one single, solitary13 fact. Instantly, all of you impulsively14 take it for granted that Masters has found the gold here, and has already removed it. As a matter of reason, the chances are greatly against this unwarrantable assumption. It is only necessary to consider all the facts in our possession to understand this.
“In the first place, the fact that this hole[305] has been dug up recently does not prove that there was gold hidden in it. As far as our knowledge goes, the treasure may have been there, or it may not. There is not a particle of evidence one way or the other. Masters was after the gold. He hunted here. That’s all we know. We do not know whether or not he found the money here. Even you chaps must admit that much.” He regarded the trio with accusing glances, before which they nodded a meek15 assent16.
“Go on, Billy,” Saxe urged.
The undisguised interest of his audience served to set the orator17 in the best of humors, so that he grinned cheerfully on them as he resumed:
“There are some facts that tend to show the impossibility of Masters having already removed the money from this place. It was late when Roy got his hurt from the hands of the engineer. It is reasonable to suppose that the fellow had had no chance to find, much less take away, the gold before the time when he encountered Roy. Now, the time that elapsed, after Roy received his wound until our coming to the cavern18, was not very[306] long. You doubtless remember that we were routed out at an unchristian hour, little better than the middle of the night. In fact, the dawn was still on the other side of the hills when we made the island. We were here not more than three hours after Roy got shot, and it is more likely that the interval19 was less. I am inclined to think it was perhaps not more than two hours. David, here, knows something about gold and its weight. I submit as reasonable the statement that, had Masters found the gold in this hole, he could not in the time at his disposal have removed that weight of metal to any distance without aid.
“We are justified20 in believing that he works unaided, for the sake of greed and for the sake of prudence21. If you bear in mind the length of this passage, and the impossibility of traversing it except slowly and cautiously, even unburdened, you will appreciate my reasons for suspecting that Masters has not carried off the gold.” Billy stared inquiringly at the listeners, and appeared elated as they severally nodded agreement.
“No,” David declared, “I believe it would[307] have been next to impossible for him to have got away with it, even if he hid it close by on the island. From the way the blood on Roy’s face was caked, and the color of it, I don’t believe it had been an hour after the shooting when we got here.”
“If you’re right about that,” Billy averred23, “it makes the probability of my reasoning a certainty.”
“I’m pretty sure,” David answered. “I’ve seen bullet-holes enough to be pretty sure.”
“Why, then,” Saxe exclaimed, briskly, and there was new confidence in his voice, “it seems to me that we’re just where we were—with the gold still to find. In the first place, we must make sure that it isn’t still here in this pit, and, if it isn’t, we must go ahead with the search of the cavern, until we find out where it is.”
“My dear boy,” the sage22 cried, in bantering26 compliment, “for once you have reasoned simply and precisely27. Bravo!”
Not much time was required to make evident the fact that there could be nothing of value concealed29 in the pit. The litter was readily[308] penetrated30, and revealed beneath it solid rock, undisturbed since first set there by the processes of primeval ages. The discovery was a source of relief, rather than of disappointment, and Saxe, doubtless encouraged by the tribute accorded to his reasoning powers by Billy Walker, called attention to the fact that the amount of loose matter in the pit was far from being sufficient to have concealed any great bulk of gold. It was, therefore, reasonable to suppose that the treasure had never been buried in this place.
“You advance by leaps and bounds,” he declared.
Exploration of the continuance of the passage was speedily effected, as it narrowed immediately beyond the pit, and came to a definite end within ten yards. Thereupon, the four retraced33 their steps, inspecting with care every inch of the way, until they reached the break that formed a communication between the two tunnels. It was decided34 now that the party should divide, Billy and David keeping on in this passage, while Saxe and the boatman crossed into the other, there to follow its length[309] under the lake.
Saxe knew that he and the girl had gone a little way beyond the junction35 of the passages, and he was intensely eager to learn what might lie farther on. Hope mounted high as he set forth36 down the slope, with Jake hard at his heels. He realized that, for ill or weal, he was close to the issue of his adventure, and he dared expect success.
The way at first led downward steeply, but afterward37, at a point which, as Saxe judged, was still well within the island, the tunnel ascended38 for a time, then ran level. This level broadened presently into a chamber39, larger even than that back at the entrance to the cavern. Their lanterns showed a room fully5 a hundred feet in diameter, irregular, its walls broken by many ledges40, with here and there deep shadows that might shroud41 the entrances to other passages.
“It’s not the place, though,” Saxe declared; “for we are too high. This isn’t under the lake—and the cipher42 says, ‘The Bed of the Lake.’ Come on, Jake.”
He led the way toward a tunnel that yawned blackly on the south side of the chamber. This[310] sloped sharply downward, without a bend. Saxe, who possessed43 an instinct for location that was rarely at fault, had kept careful watch of every change in direction throughout the exploration.
“Jake,” he said abruptly44, after the straight course had been followed for a few rods, “if we keep on like this, we ought to hit the passage where the pit is.”
“I guess not,” the boatman objected. “We’ve been all over that-thar tunnel, and there ain’t no place where this-here tunnel comes into it. Now, what do ye say to that, Mr. Temple, eh?”
“Not a blessed thing,” Saxe replied. “You’re right, of course, and yet—anyhow, I’d be willing to wager45 we’ll run within a rod of the other passage, at farthest.”
“Ain’t no way of settlin’ that-thar idee o’ your’n,” Jake commented, with a cackle. “Guess as how I don’t pine to bet none.”
The two went on in silence after this, moving at a fair rate of speed, for the tunnel was only slightly encumbered46 with débris, but they did not permit haste to breed neglect of their purpose. Ever, as they went, they kept a careful lookout47 for aught that might by any possibility[311] be a hiding-place for the miser48’s gold. On either side, they looked, above, below—always in vain. Nowhere in the descent was there anything to suggest a receptacle for stores of precious metal. Suddenly, Saxe, who from his place in advance had been peering before him anxiously, spoke in a voice of discouragement:
“Jake, I believe we’re coming to the end of it.”
The boatman quickened his steps, and reached the speaker’s side. The two halted. By the light of their lanterns, they saw a wall of stone, which barred further passage. Here was, indeed, the end of the tunnel. Jake nodded his head.
“Yes,” he agreed, “it’s the end, sure enough.”
“The floor is broken!” Saxe cried, of a sudden. In an instant, he was surcharged with excitement. Jake, too, was thrilled. Together, they stared fixedly49 at the space that stretched level from their feet to the end of the tunnel. Wildest hope was welling in Saxe’s breast now. In the interstices of broken rock before him, imagination caught the yellow gleam of coins.
For, at this point, the floor of the cavern[312] showed some evidence of containing a natural opening similar to that in the other passage, at the place where Roy had seen Masters. But, where the other opening had been plainly visible, and, in fact, only partially50 filled by the pieces of stone within it, this was full to the top with rock fragments, neatly51 compacted—so neatly compacted, in truth, that it were easy to suspect the cunning of man in their precise adjustment, rather than the haphazard52 of nature. Gazing down on that orderly arrangement, the two men became certain that here, at last, was the spot chosen by the dead miser for the concealment53 of his store. Yet, for a little, each hesitated to begin the examination that would prove conclusive54. They were half-fearful of putting conviction to the test of proof. Perhaps, too, the delight of anticipation55 held them in thrall56. Saxe walked slowly along one side of the broken place, until he came to the end of the tunnel. There, something in the rocky wall caught his attention, and he regarded the terminal formation more critically. Presently, he turned to Jake, and spoke with an air of triumph:
“I’m sure I was right about this passage[313] running to the one where we found Roy. This is a continuation of the other. The opening in the floor here is the other half of the one into which Masters burrowed57.”
“Well, maybe so, maybe so,” Jake replied, in a voice that was plainly skeptical58. “But jest how do ye make out all that-thar information?”
“By my bump of location, chiefly,” Saxe admitted. “But there’s corroborative59 evidence in the fact that the wall here is only a big boulder60, along with a lot of smaller stones which block the passage.”
“Well, so be,” the boatman commented placidly61, “I don’t calc’late as how it makes a mighty62 sight o’ difference, one way or t’other. The p’int is, what in tarnation’s under here?”
“Of course,” Saxe conceded. “Merely, it pleases my vanity to have been right.” He came to the old man’s side, and spoke with a quick sharpness in his tone: “And now, Jake, let’s find out if there’s anything here.”
A few blows from the pickaxes loosened the closely packed pieces of stone. The two then began to cast out these to one side. They found the work simple enough, though fatiguing63, for many of the rocks were of formidable[314] weight; but all were lying loosely, once the top layer had been removed.
Saxe paused for a brief rest, after having with difficulty heaved a huge stone from the pit.
“Mr. Abernethey never could have handled these,” he exclaimed. “The idea is absurd.”
“Don’t you go worrying yourself none over that,” he counseled. “That-thar old man was a wonder in some ways. He was mighty powerful in his arms and chist. I seen him oncet lift a barrel o’ vinegar up by the chines into a wagon65. I reckon he acquired consid’ble muscle from the pianner; he used to wallop it some tremendous, I tell you! Yep, he could h’ist out a heftier rock nor you or me.”
This information quickened Saxe’s hope, and he toiled66 on with increased energy. The boatman showed an equal zeal69. The pit grew deeper momently. Suddenly, Jake gave forth a great shout:
“Jumpin’ Jehosaphat! We’ve struck it!” He straightened up, his face creased68 with innumerable wrinkles of happiness as he looked[315] across the pit at Saxe.
The heir of Abernethey was beside the speaker within the second. As he bent70 forward, following the boatman’s gesture, he saw, in the open place left by the removal of the stone, a surface of oak. He understood that this must be the cover of a chest. An exclamation71 of triumph broke from his lips. He made no effort to conceal28 his agitation72.
“Quick! Quick!” he cried. “Let’s get the other stones off.” He hurled73 from the pit with ease one which, a minute before, he could hardly have stirred. The splendid madness of success tripled strength. The old man beside him shared in the frenzy74 of toil67. Within an incredibly short time, the oak covering was laid bare, and one corner of the chest stood exposed for its whole height. It was a great box of polished wood, brass-bound at the corners. The cover was made fast by hasp and padlock—the whole simple, yet very strong and handsome.
“Hurrah!” Jake cried, as he paused from the work to wipe his dripping forehead.
“Hurrah!” Saxe answered, as he, too, rested. Then, he remained staring at the[316] mighty box, wherein lay a fortune. He was too dazed by the final victory to think with coherence75: he could but feel, with every atom of the energy in him.
There was no further interchange between the two for some time. In silence, they again attacked the litter of rock that surrounded the chest. It was freed at last from the rampart that had shielded it. Jake put his shoulder against the side, and essayed an experimental push. With a groan76 from the strain, he abandoned the futile77 effort. There was vast contentment in his smile when he spoke:
“I calc’late that-thar box will heft pretty consid’ble. It’s gold, all right.”
“Yes, it’s the gold,” Saxe agreed, dreamily. He was thinking of Margaret now, and he smiled as he reflected on the fact that the miser’s legacy78 would fall to her and him together. A great longing79 to be alone assailed80 him. He turned impulsively to the boatman.
“Hurry, and find the others, Jake!” he directed.
“You bet ye!” the boatman responded, with alacrity81. He was eager to bear the tidings.[317] In a trice, he had scrambled82 out of the pit, seized his lantern, and set off briskly up the slope of the tunnel.
Left alone, Saxe lighted a cigarette, smiling a little as he noted83 the manner in which his hands were trembling. Then, he seated himself comfortably at the edge of the pit, and gazed raptly down on the treasure-chest.
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1
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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lament
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| n.悲叹，悔恨，恸哭；v.哀悼，悔恨，悲叹 | |
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3
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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4
disconsolate
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| adj.忧郁的，不快的 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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catastrophe
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| n.大灾难，大祸 | |
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ratiocination
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| n.推理；推断 | |
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pedantic
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| adj.卖弄学问的；迂腐的 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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10
scrutiny
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| n.详细检查，仔细观察 | |
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whatsoever
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| adv.（用于否定句中以加强语气）任何；pron.无论什么 | |
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genial
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| adj.亲切的，和蔼的，愉快的，脾气好的 | |
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solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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impulsively
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| adv.冲动地 | |
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meek
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| adj.温顺的，逆来顺受的 | |
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assent
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| v.批准，认可；n.批准，认可 | |
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orator
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| n.演说者，演讲者，雄辩家 | |
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cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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interval
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| n.间隔，间距；幕间休息，中场休息 | |
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justified
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| a.正当的，有理的 | |
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prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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sage
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| n.圣人，哲人；adj.贤明的，明智的 | |
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23
averred
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| v.断言( aver的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；证明…属实；作为事实提出 | |
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24
rumbling
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| n. 隆隆声, 辘辘声 adj. 隆隆响的 动词rumble的现在分词 | |
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chuckle
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| vi.／n.轻声笑，咯咯笑 | |
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bantering
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| adj.嘲弄的v.开玩笑，说笑，逗乐( banter的现在分词 )；（善意地）取笑，逗弄 | |
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precisely
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| adv.恰好，正好，精确地，细致地 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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concealed
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| a.隐藏的，隐蔽的 | |
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penetrated
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| adj. 击穿的，鞭辟入里的 动词penetrate的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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31
grunt
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| v.嘟哝；作呼噜声；n.呼噜声，嘟哝 | |
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32
approbation
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| n.称赞；认可 | |
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33
retraced
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| v.折回( retrace的过去式和过去分词 )；回忆；回顾；追溯 | |
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decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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junction
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| n.连接，接合；交叉点，接合处，枢纽站 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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afterward
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| adv.后来；以后 | |
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ascended
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| v.上升，攀登( ascend的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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chamber
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| n.房间，寝室；会议厅；议院；会所 | |
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ledges
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| n.（墙壁，悬崖等）突出的狭长部分( ledge的名词复数 )；（平窄的）壁架；横档；（尤指）窗台 | |
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shroud
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| n.裹尸布，寿衣；罩，幕；vt.覆盖，隐藏 | |
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cipher
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| n.零；无影响力的人；密码 | |
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43
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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abruptly
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| adv.突然地，出其不意地 | |
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45
wager
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| n.赌注；vt.押注，打赌 | |
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46
encumbered
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| v.妨碍，阻碍，拖累( encumber的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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lookout
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| n.注意，前途，瞭望台 | |
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48
miser
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| n.守财奴，吝啬鬼 (adj.miserly) | |
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49
fixedly
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| adv.固定地；不屈地，坚定不移地 | |
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50
partially
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| adv.部分地，从某些方面讲 | |
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51
neatly
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| adv.整洁地，干净地，灵巧地，熟练地 | |
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52
haphazard
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| adj.无计划的，随意的，杂乱无章的 | |
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53
concealment
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| n.隐藏, 掩盖，隐瞒 | |
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54
conclusive
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| adj.最后的，结论的；确凿的，消除怀疑的 | |
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55
anticipation
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| n.预期，预料，期望 | |
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56
thrall
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| n.奴隶；奴隶制 | |
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57
burrowed
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| v.挖掘（洞穴），挖洞( burrow的过去式和过去分词 )；翻寻 | |
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58
skeptical
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| adj.怀疑的，多疑的 | |
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59
corroborative
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| adj.确证（性）的，确凿的 | |
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60
boulder
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| n.巨砾；卵石，圆石 | |
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61
placidly
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| adv.平稳地，平静地 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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63
fatiguing
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| a.使人劳累的 | |
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emphatic
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| adj.强调的，着重的；无可置疑的，明显的 | |
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65
wagon
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| n.四轮马车，手推车，面包车；无盖运货列车 | |
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66
toiled
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的过去式和过去分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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toil
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| vi.辛劳工作，艰难地行动；n.苦工，难事 | |
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68
creased
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| （使…）起折痕，弄皱( crease的过去式和过去分词 )； （皮肤）皱起，使起皱纹； 皱皱巴巴 | |
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69
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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70
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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71
exclamation
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| n.感叹号，惊呼，惊叹词 | |
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72
agitation
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| n.搅动；搅拌；鼓动，煽动 | |
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73
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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74
frenzy
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| n.疯狂，狂热，极度的激动 | |
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75
coherence
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| n.紧凑；连贯；一致性 | |
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76
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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77
futile
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| adj.无效的，无用的，无希望的 | |
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78
legacy
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| n.遗产，遗赠；先人(或过去)留下的东西 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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80
assailed
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| v.攻击( assail的过去式和过去分词 )；困扰；质问；毅然应对 | |
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81
alacrity
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| n.敏捷，轻快，乐意 | |
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82
scrambled
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| v.快速爬行( scramble的过去式和过去分词 )；攀登；争夺；（军事飞机）紧急起飞 | |
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noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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