“That’s the place,” said the landlord. “I wonder you ain’t heard of Oak Island before.”
“Never,” said Bart; “that is, I’ve heard the name mentioned; but never knew that Captain Kidd had anything to do with it.”
“That’s just what he had,” said the landlord. “Everybody in these parts can tell you all about it. People have been full of it ever since Chester was settled. I’ve heard it all my life.”
“But if there’s money there, why don’t they get it?” asked Bart.
“Because they can’t!”
“Can’t?”
“No, can’t. Captain Kidd knowed what he was about, and he made his arrangements so that, from that day to this, nobody’s ever been able to get down to the bottom of that money-hole, and, in my humble opinion, never will.”
“Why not? I don’t understand.”
“Well,” said the landlord, “it’s a long story; but as I’ve got nothing to do just now, I don’t mind telling you about it.”
So saying, the landlord settled himself into an easy, lounging attitude, and began the story of Oak Island.