He unfolded it and showed it to the youths.—Page [257].
Upon the map was marked prominently amidst a maze of marks "The Lone Pine," and under it was drawn a crude representation of a blasted, leafless tree of seemingly great size. Now Tom was certain that he had seen no such tree in the vicinity of the cavern. The map, however, did show a canyon similar to the one where the cave was, and also indicated a cave at about the same location. Not far from it a red star showed where the gold was supposed to lie.
Tom glanced up at Stapleton from a scrutiny of the map. As he did so, the suspicion that had flashed across him at their first meeting revisited him. But this time it was a stronger and more sinister impression. He looked at Jack, but apparently he had noticed nothing amiss.
[CHAPTER XXVI.]
THE DEAD MAN'S MINE.
"How did you come into possession of this paper?" asked Tom, feeling an irresistible curiosity concerning the matter.
A look of cunning crept into Stapleton's eyes. His tone grew confidential.