"If you mean to do the fair thing, of course I shall keep still, you know. Give me my share, and I will keep as still as the man that has gone to the happy hunting-ground."
"I can't promise anything."
"Neither can I," said the fop, angrily; for by this time he had come to the conclusion that Leopold did not intend to do "the fair thing."
The money-digger was appalled to think of having the story of the buried treasure told all over Rockhaven, and perhaps being compelled to hand it over to his father before he had made any effort to find the heirs of the lost passenger. On the other hand, he could neither divide the money at the present time, nor promise to do so in the future, with the troublesome visitor; and the former was the less of the two evils. The appearance of the young ladies on the beach, as they emerged from the Hole in the Wall, put an end to the argument; but Leopold hoped yet that he should be able to prevail upon Mr. Redmond to be silent in regard to the treasure.
"I am very glad to see you again, ladies," said the fop, running toward them as they approached. "I hope you will pardon me for leaving you, and for not returning, for a matter of some little importance prevented me from joining you again."
"You are very excusable, Mr. Redmond," replied Rosabel. "We contrived to pass away the time in your absence."
"Thank you for your kind consideration."
"We didn't suffer much for the want of you, Charley Redmond," added Belle.
The party immediately embarked in the Rosabel, which was soon under way on the return to Rockhaven. But the wind was dead ahead, and even fresher than when they had come down to High Rock. Leopold stood directly out to sea, making only one tack in reaching the river. It was very rough, and Mr. Redmond soon lost all his elasticity of spirit, and forgot all about the hidden treasure of High Rock, in his fears for his own safety. But, in spite of the gale, the Rosabel went into the river without accident, under the skillful management of the skipper, though the entire party were thoroughly drenched by the spray.
As soon as Leopold had landed his passengers, and securely moored the sloop, he hastened, before going to the hotel, to the shop of his uncle. Without any explanation, he dropped upon the watch-maker's counter the shot-bag, in which the gold chinked as it fell, to the intense astonishment of Herr Schlager.