Without waiting for an answer Guy gave a signal, and three strong men carried in the sailor’s chest which had been unearthed at the island. Guy dismissed the men, and then, unlocking the chest, threw it open, disclosing the treasure.
The merchant was dazzled.
“This is wonderful!” he ejaculated.
“Now, Mr. Saunders,” said Guy, “I have fulfilled my part of the contract. I will leave the treasure with you.”
“I will have it appraised and render an account to you, Guy. You will dine with me?”
“Thank you, sir; but in the meantime, as I have been confined so long on shipboard, I will go out and take a walk.”
It was three days before the examination and appraisal were completed. Then Mr. Saunders announced to his young agent that the value of the treasure was fifty thousand pounds, or two hundred and fifty thousand dollars.
“Of this,” he said, “your share is one-half, or one hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars.”
“But, sir, you advanced me a thousand pounds!”
“I shall make no account of that. You deserve a full half as a reward for your energy and enterprise.”