“That’s true enough. It’s fully that time since Arkenstall and I, being closely pursued, buried the treasure in the spot I have mentioned. A few days after this we were seized at Preston and tried for mutiny and murder on the high seas. I never committed murder, and this I solemnly declare, but we were both convicted of manslaughter. The rest you know.”
“What has become of your companion, then?”
“What—Arkenstall?”
“Yes.”
“Dead, years ago.”
“Then you are the only person living who knows of this?”
“The only one. You need not, therefore, wonder at my desire to obtain my freedom.”
“Certainly not.”
Notwithstanding all his endeavours to appear indifferent, young Knoulton had listened with deep attention to the pirate’s recital.
When he had ceased to speak the young man remained perfectly silent for some time, seeming to balance in his own mind the probability of the story he had just heard.