"I will not. More than that, I'll take Captain Nesik into the secret with me, and I'll leave behind all of my diamonds and my gold watch as an evidence of my good faith."
"Leave your boy Bart here for company and I'll take you up, Hankers."
"I would even do that, Pete, but you know well enough Bart won't stay behind. He is crazy to get the treasure and crow over the Fearlesses. He even says he is going down himself, in that new diving bell we brought along—just to show that he can work under water as well as Dave Fearless."
"Then you must leave me all the stuff you can, and you and Captain Nesik must promise on your bended knees to come back for me. I wouldn't be marooned for twice ten thousand dollars."
"It will be all right. You can—hullo, who is calling?"
A form had appeared at the mouth of the cave.
"Are you in there, dad?" came the cry.
"Yes, Bart," answered Lemuel Hankers. He turned to Pete Rackley. "Come, quick! Do you accept my offer?"
"I do," answered the rascally sailor, and the pair of villains shook hands.
"What are you up to!" went on Bart Hankers, as he came closer.