"We'll come back for you by night," said Robert Menden. "In the meantime here are some crackers and a drink of water for you," and he held them up so that Farvel could get at them. At first the fellow wanted to refuse, but soon thought better of it, having a fear of suffering from thirst and hunger.
Joseph Farvel was boiling with inward rage. Yet he did not dare say too much, fearing that the party would turn on him. Soon he was left to himself. Yet they were not yet done with him.
"A good bit of time lost," remarked Robert Menden, as he consulted his watch. "But I am glad we now have Farvel where he can do us no further harm."
The entrance to the cave passed, they speedily found their way to the chamber of bones, and then to where the tablet was located.
All was exactly as they had left it and Robert Menden breathed a long sigh of relief.
"Now, we ought to have that treasure in our possession before we leave to-night," he said.
"Ye can't git it none too quick for any o' us!" grinned old Jacob. "Ain't thet so, boys?"
"You're right!" cried Dick. "Hurry up with the ropes."
The coils were speedily forthcoming, and the two heaviest were well knotted together. Then Robert Menden prepared to descend once more—this time with the canvas bag on his back. In one hand he carried a fresh torch, which made that portion of the crack in the rocks almost as bright as day.
"Gently now," he cautioned, as he swung downward. "I don't want to break my neck for all the gold on the island."