But a pallor suddenly overspread Snags’ face. He looked around in piteous entreaty, as if it were in the power of those about him to restore his quickening breath. He gasped, clutched the air with his hands, and finally seemed to recover himself in a measure. He spoke with an effort:
“The letter told of a change of plans, of strange revelations, of important papers, and a new will. It spoke of money. It told—where—to look.” The voice grew fainter and fainter. “Of a secret recess—hidden spring—money—will——”
The words came now in hoarse whispers. The dying man struggled in agony. He made one more effort.
“The money and the will—in the wall—press—somewhere—a hidden——”
A convulsive tremor shook his frame, and his voice ceased altogether.
With solemn countenances and bowed heads, Leonard, Mr. Stark, and the surgeon stood by, and waited for the end.
It came soon. In two minutes more the spirit and the body had parted, and a form lay before them in the cold pallor of death.
Before leaving the apartment, Leonard, Mr. Stark, and the surgeon appended their signatures as witnesses to the statement of Snags, attesting that it was a true and faithful transcription of the words uttered by him.
Then the body was carefully secured in place, and covered, the room was vacated and locked, and the three who had been present at the solemn scene stepped on the deck in the open air.
The return journey to Boston was tedious, for the smugglers’ ship had been so disabled in the conflict as to necessitate its being towed by the Porter. Consequently the progress made was slow.