Harry and the other boys had been in consultation for several days concerning the cave, and a day or two before they were ready to start had a talk with John about the treasure there. John listened attentively, and when they had finished, said:
"You are quite right in wanting to take care of the valuables there. You are entitled to them."
"But they are yours, as much as ours, and we shall not touch them unless it is with the understanding that you shall share with us," responded George.
"I could not consider it for a moment."
"You cannot help yourself," said the boys in chorus. "We have arranged all that matter, and you have nothing to say about it."
"But," protested John. "I do not deserve it."
"Well, do we?" asked Harry.
"But you and the Professor discovered it."
"Before you or Ralph and Tom came we arranged the division, so that the Professor has one[p. 47]-third of it, but we own two-thirds, and that we propose to divide equally among all of us," added Harry.
"Really," said Ralph, "Tom and I are in the same position as John, and we feel it is not right to take a share, but the boys insist on it."