“All the same, I wish that I had kept my tongue between my teeth.”
CHAPTER XXXIV
HOW SUCCESS BECAME FAILURE
The next morning, when Guy and his two companions started for the island, their faces were bright with hope and expectation. They felt that success was at hand.
They never doubted the truth of the statement which they had read in John Wolf’s memorandum book. There had been times when they had been despondent, but all fear of failure was now removed.
They were too much absorbed in their own thoughts to notice the rather remarkable demeanor of the captain, who stood on the deck, silent and watchful, while his three passengers were taking their places in the boat.
They were provided with a pickaxe and a shovel. These Guy had brought with him from home, in the hope that they would be required in unearthing the treasure of which he was in search.
Hitherto they had not carried these implements on their daily trips to the island, but the time had now come when they would be of use.
Captain John Richmond smiled cynically as he watched the boat lowered and the three explorers entering it. Probably no one of the sailors noticed his expression except Frank Low, on whom it produced a feeling of uneasiness.
“I wonder what the captain’s thinking about,” he said to himself.
Captain Richmond stood silent and thoughtful till he saw the party land on the island beach. Then he waited quietly till the boat returned.