Leopold told the whole story, from Harvey Barth's diary down to date, as briefly as he could.
"If I don't find any owner, I suppose the money belongs to me," he added.
"Himmel! Yes!" answered the watch-maker.
"Now, uncle, don't you let anybody, not even my father, have the bag without my consent."
"No, Leopold; nobody shall touch him," added Herr Schlager, as he locked the door of the safe, and put the key in his pocket.
The money-digger was satisfied that his uncle would be faithful to the letter of his promise; and he hastened back to the hotel, to attend to his usual duties.
But the malignant little Mr. Redmond had already told the story of the hidden treasure, so far as he new it, to an audience in the office of the Sea Cliff House, which included the landlord. Of course the narrative was full of interest; and in the course of half an hour it was travelling from mouth to mouth up the main street of Rockhaven as rapidly as though it had been written out, and sent by express. When the finder of the treasure entered the hotel office, the subject was still under discussion.
"Leopold wouldn't do the fair thing, and divy with Stumpy and me," said the little fop, when he had finished his story. "If he had, I would have kept the whole thing secret as he wished me to do."
"Why should he share the money with you, Charley?" demanded Mr. Hamilton.
"Because I was in at the death, and that's the way to do the thing when any money is found. Leopold was mean about it."