"Don't be in a hurry. Hear the rest," said the Marshal.
"Is there anything worse?" wailed Jack. "I feel real cheap."
"Nothing that you can't get out of, I guess," replied Harrison. "Those fellows were indignant when you slipped away so hurriedly and were about to telegraph Key West to look out for you when a man named Wyckoff approached and said you were headed for Biloxi. They couldn't believe it but he swore it was so."
"And so you came down here to get us?" queried Jack.
"I'm stationed at Gulfport, a short distance west of here," replied Harrison. "They wired me there and wanted to libel your craft. You know the United States protects merchants and workmen by seizing the vessel if their bills are not paid."
"But we'll pay it!" stoutly protested Jack. "We have the money."
"I haven't the least doubt of it," declared Harrison. "It was only a matter of oversight under the exciting news you got. But tell me," he went on, "how did Wyckoff know you were headed for this place? He seemed very positive about your destination."
Then Jack gave Harrison the whole story. He omitted nothing that the boys considered of importance, even showing Harrison the map. At the conclusion of the recital Harrison looked serious.
"Well, boys," he said at length, "you've stumbled onto what seems to be a reality, but I always considered it a myth. For years the report has been circulated that there was such a treasure and this man Wyckoff and Lopez claimed to be blood descendants of the officer who buried it. The name on that map would seem to bear them out. But tonight or tomorrow night will be the only time you'll have to get at the treasure for another year, if the whole tale is true."
"How's that?" breathlessly asked the boys.