am sorry for that,” he said. “Your predecessor—the man whose place you are taking—is not yet well.”
“I am sorry if I inconvenience you, Mr. Saunders.”
“You are specially anxious to return on the Osprey?”
“If I don’t, I know of no other way of getting home.”
“You can get home quicker by way of London and Liverpool.”
“But that would cost considerable money.”
“That is true. Of course, if I detain you here I shall undertake to send you home free of expense to yourself. Perhaps, however, that may not be a matter of so much importance to you.”
Guy looked puzzled.
“You would travel by steamer to Liverpool, and from there to New York or Boston, also by steamer.”
“It would enable me to see more of the world, but it would cost you a good deal of money.”
“Yes; but I have not yet told you that I may have some business for you to attend to for me in England.”
“That would alter the case, sir. If you have confidence enough in me to employ me in that way, I shall be very glad to do what I can for you.”
“Then there is another matter. I have not yet spoken to you about the pirates’ treasure.”
“No, sir.”
“I have thought over the story you told me, and I will tell you the decision to which I have come. I think there is a faint chance of the story being true.”
Guy brightened up at this admission, for he had great faith in Mr. Saunders’ judgment.
“Of course, it will cost money to obtain it, even if it exists, for I see no other way than to fit out a special expedition.”
“Yes, sir,” returned Guy, soberly, for he believed this would destroy all chance of his ever obtaining the treasure.
“As to the prospect of influencing anyone with capital to go on such a quest, I am afraid it is not bright.”
“I suppose I may as well give it up, then?”
“Not necessarily. The time may come when I can myself undertake it. Meanwhile, as it may be a good while, you will be left in suspense and poverty.”
“Still, if I thought the time would ever come when you would be willing to take hold of it, I would be content to wait.”
“Then suppose you have a copy made of your uncle’s letter, and also of the one in which directions are given as to the island and the place of concealment. The original papers you can keep, and leave the copies with me.”
“I will do so, sir.”
“You repose a good deal of confidence in me. Suppose I fit out the expedition, secure the treasure, and cheat you out of your share of it?”
“I have no fear,” replied Guy. “I have perfect confidence in you.”
“You shall not regret that confidence. I will see that you derive some immediate benefit from this treasure to which you have fallen heir. I propose that, as the expense of fitting out the expedition will be mine, I shall have a right to claim one-half the treasure.”
“I agree to that, sir.”
“And I furthermore agree to pay over to you at once one thousand pounds, to be repaid to me out of your share of the treasure when it is found.”
“But it may never be found!”
“That will be my lookout.”
“And I shall be worth a thousand pounds—five thousand dollars!” said Guy.
“Exactly so.”
“I can hardly believe it.”
“You will believe it when the money is in your hands, as it will be to-morrow.”
“It was a very fortunate day when I met you, Mr. Saunders,” said Guy, gratefully.
“And a providential day when I met you, Guy. Don’t forget that you saved my life. But I have not yet spoken of the business which you are to do for me in England.”
When Guy heard this he was even more surprised.
CHAPTER VII
GUY RECEIVES A COMMISSION
“Not going back on the Osprey?” exclaimed Captain Grover, in great surprise.
“No, sir. Mr. Saunders wishes to retain me in his employment.”
“But are you aware that the climate of Bombay is very trying to a foreigner?”
“I do not expect to stay in Bombay.”
“I thought you were intending to remain with your present employer?”
“I expect to remain in his employ, but he will very soon send me to England on business.”
Captain Grover looked still more amazed.
“Does he know how old you are?” he asked, abruptly.
“He knows how young I am,” answered Guy, with a smile. “Still, he seems to have confidence in me.”
“I suppose I shall have to give my consent, Guy. I hold myself in a manner responsible, for you, as you left home under my charge. Still, I can see that Mr. Saunders is likely to prove a good friend to you. How much does he pay you?”
“Thus far he has paid me twenty-five dollars a week.”
“You can hardly expect that he will pay you such large wages when you are traveling.”
“On the contrary, he says he will pay me more.”
“Either you are a very smart boy, or he overrates you greatly.”
“Suppose we say the first?” said Guy, smiling.
“Well, perhaps so. How long are you to stay in England?”
“I don’t know yet.”
“From there where will you go?”
“To Boston or New York.”
Captain Grover looked relieved.
“I want to be able to tell your father that you are all right. He will naturally feel anxious when he thinks that you are alone in a distant country.”
“I don’t know about that. He always had considerable confidence in my ability to get along.”
“He didn’t know anything about your crazy idea of hunting for a pirate’s treasure, did he?”
“I never mentioned the matter to him, and I hope you will not. He gave me permission to search Uncle George’s sea chest, but I never told him what I found in it. You know, captain, he is a very absent-minded man. I presume he has never thought of the matter from that day to this.”
“I am glad you have given up the notion of hunting for a treasure which very likely does not exist.”
“Have I?” said Guy to himself; but he only smiled.
He had never said anything to Captain Grover about Mr. Saunders’ plans, or about the thousand pounds which the merchant had paid over to him. He knew that the captain would rejoice in his good fortune, but he wanted to bide his time and surprise his friends, at home with the story of his luck.
He felt that already he was worth enough money to help his father materially in case Deacon Crane should succeed in his efforts to have him ousted from his parish in favor of a younger man.
On the day that the Osprey was to weigh anchor Guy remained on board, with Mr. Saunders’ permission, till the good ship had fairly left her dock.
As he watched her gradually fading out of sight, and realized that he was perhaps eight thousand miles from home, with none of his old friends near him, he felt homesick for a short time, but soon