"It doesn't do any harm there, either," said the Sea Monster. "Really, Phoenix, I never thought you—"
"Monster," said the Phoenix solemnly, "this—is a matter of life or death."
"Life or death—ha!"
"Please, Monster," said David. "It really is life or death, because the Scientist is chasing the Phoenix, and the Phoenix has a plan to escape him, and we need some money to carry out the plan so the Scientist can't hurt the Phoenix."
"A few small coins will do," added the Phoenix, with a winning smile. "A louis d'or, for example, or some pieces of eight. After which you may bury the rest again."
"Please, Monster!" David begged.
The Monster looked at David, and at the Phoenix, and then at David again, and then at the lagoon. It sighed a very doubtful sigh.
"Oh ... all right," it said reluctantly. "But for goodness sake, don't go telling anyone where you found it."
"Of course not," said the Phoenix. And David leaped up and shouted "Hooray!" and grabbed the spade and his jacket.
"The stuff is on the next island," said the Sea Monster. "I can swim over with you two on my back. This way, please—we have to leave from the outer beach."