It ran thus:

I have had a call from a boy of sixteen, Guy Fenwick, who showed credentials¹ from you, and appears to have been intrusted with an extraordinary commission. I complied with your instructions and supplied him with the money he called for, as per account inclosed. I hope I have done right. It seemed singular to me that you should have employed as your confidential² agent a boy so young. I hope you will excuse the liberty I take in referring to this.

There was more of the same tenor³.

Mr. Saunders read the note with a complacent⁴ smile.

“I have no doubt Frazer was very much surprised,{290}” he said to himself. “Indeed, I should myself have been surprised had anyone told me a year since that I would have so far trusted so young an agent. But Guy Fenwick is an extraordinary boy, and I still feel that I have made no mistake.

“To be sure,” he added, after a pause, “this expedition in search of the pirates’ treasure may be foolish, but even on that I reserve my decision. I shall be interested to hear how Guy makes out.”

He was interrupted by the opening of the office door and the sudden entrance of the boy who had been occupying his thoughts.

“Guy Fenwick!” he exclaimed, in a tone of evident pleasure.

“Yes, Mr. Saunders,” said Guy, with a smile. “Didn’t you expect to see me again?”

“Not so soon. What have you to report? Did you find the island?”

“Yes, sir; and that was not all.”

“You don’t mean to say that you have found the treasure?”

“Yes, I do. It is at the door, in charge of three men, and with your permission I will have it brought in.”

Without waiting for an answer Guy gave a signal, and three strong men carried in the sailor’s{291} chest which had been unearthed⁵ at the island. Guy dismissed the men, and then, unlocking the chest, threw it open, disclosing the treasure.

The merchant was dazzled.

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