“You say they used to carry a lantern to attract the boats,” mused Bee. “Where did they do it?”
“Why, right along the beach down there, I guess. On the other side, too, probably; that would catch the boats coming down the shore. They’d think the lantern was a light on another ship and first thing they’d know they were piled up on the rocks or the sands. I never heard what happened to Old Verny. Some say they put him in prison for life, though. They should have hung him!”
“Maybe they did,” said Bee. “Maybe his ghost haunts the island on dark and stormy nights. Wouldn’t that be corking?”
Hal shivered. “If I ever see his ghost around here I’ll take the shortest and quickest route home!”
“Well, I’m going to walk around and make a map of the place,” said Bee, arising energetically. “Want to come?”
Both Jack and Hal, however, declared that they were quite comfortable and that they would wait for him where they were.
“Don’t get lost,” laughed Hal. “And if you come across Old Verny ask him where he buried his treasure.”
Bee produced a pencil and a small tablet of paper and strode off. Jack and Hal exchanged amused glances.
“He’s daffy on the subject,” said Hal. “Doesn’t talk about anything else.”