With my heart beating loudly I continued to advance, my companion close behind me. Presently we came to a number of big rocks, the ones, in fact, from which the island derives its name. Here we halted and listened once more.
“You say some one followed you?” we heard the voice of Avery say.
“Yes; two men,” was Mr. Norton’s reply. “I couldn’t make them out. They must be close to the island by this time.”
“Then we must divide the booty, and get out as fast as possible,” said another; and I knew it was the man called Yates. “Put all the stones together, boys, here on this board, and we’ll draw lots for them, after dividing them into three parts.”
[Then I crawled up the rocks and peered over.]
Beyond was a rude shelter of boards, and sitting beneath it were the trio of robbers, with the stolen diamonds spread out before them.