“‘And now my story ends.
“‘I never saw Morgan alive again, and had no wish to.
“‘I am getting an old man now, and have more of this world’s wealth than I can spend. My life has been a very happy one with dear Aileen, and is so still.
“‘I shall never go in search of the hidden gold, but to this story I append the chart. The husband of one or other of our two girls, if ever they marry, may find out the treasure on Amelia Island. I leave the written story in a large box in an upper room, and that box I will never myself open or cause to be opened. Let whosoever finds it, if related by ties of blood to the Bassantos, do with it whatsoever seemeth unto him good.
“‘A dios! a dios!’”
* * * * *
Captain Reeves carefully put away the old yellow manuscript, and relit his great meerschaum. For a time he smoked in silence, then turning towards myself and young Miguel,—
“My dear friend,” he said to me—“for as a friend I look upon you—I need not say that I rely upon your not saying anything to any one concerning the story you have just heard completed.”
“That,” I said, “you may well do, Captain Reeves. I am a naval officer, and, I believe, a gentleman.
“But,” I added, “it is indeed a strange story, and had some men read it to me, I should have told them it was all a fable or romantic fabrication. Have you done anything yet concerning it?”