Thisisatruestoryofasearchforburiedtreasure。TheonlypartthatisnottrueisthenameofthemanwithwhomIsearchedforthetreasure。UnlessIkeephisnameoutofithewillnotletmewritethestory，and，asitwashisexpeditionandasmyshareofthetreasureisonlywhatIcanmakebywritingthestory，I
mustwriteashedictates。Ithinkthestoryshouldbetold，becauseourexperiencewasunique，andmightbeofbenefittoothers。And，besides，Ineedthemoney。
Thereis，however，noagreementpreventingmefromdescribinghimasIthinkheis，orreporting，asaccuratelyasIcan，whathesaidanddidashesaidanddidit。
ForpurposesofidentificationIshallcallhimEdgarPowell。Thelastnamehasnosignificance；butthefirstnameisnotchosenatrandom。Theleaderofourexpedition，theheadandbrainsofit，wasandisthesortofmanonewouldaddressasEdgar。Noonewouldthinkofcallinghim\"Ed，\"or\"Eddie，\"anymorethanhewouldconsiderslappinghimontheback。
Weweretogetheratcollege；but，assixhundredotherboyswerethereatthesametime，thatgivesnoclewtohisidentity。Sincethosedays，untilhecametoseemeaboutthetreasure，wehadnotmet。AllIknewofhimwasthathehadsucceededhisfatherinmanufacturingunshrinkableflannels。Ofcourse，thereaderunderstandsthatisnotthearticleofcommercehemanufactures；
butitisnearenough，anditsuggeststhelineofbusinesstowhichhegiveshislife’sblood。Itisnotsimilartomyownlineofwork，andinconsequence，whenhewroteme，ontheunshrinkableflannelsofficialwriting—paper，thathewishedtoseemeinreferencetoamatterofbusinessof\"mutualbenefit，\"Iwasconsiderablypuzzled。
Afewdayslater，atnineinthemorning，anhourofhisownchoosing，hecametomyroomsinNewYorkCity。
Exceptthathehadgrownabeard，hewasasIrememberedhim，thinandtall，butwithnochest，andstoopingshoulders。Heworeeye—glasses，andasofoldthroughtheseheregardedyoudisapprovinglyandwarilyasthoughhesuspectedyoumighttrytoborrowmoney，orevenjokewithhim。AswithEdgarIhadneverfeltanytemptationtodoeither，thiswasirritating。
Butfromforceofformerhabitwegreetedeachotherbyourfirstnames，andhesuspiciouslyacceptedacigar。Then，afterfixingmebothwithhiseyesandwithhiseye—glassesandswearingmetosecrecy，hebeganabruptly。
\"Ourmills，\"hesaid，\"areinNewBedford；andIownseveralsmallcottagesthereandinFairhaven。Irentthemoutatamoderaterate。Theotherdayoneofmytenants，aPortuguesesailor，wastakensuddenlyillandsentforme。HehadmademanyvoyagesinandoutofBedfordtotheSouthSeas，whaling，andhetoldmeonhislastvoyagehehadtouchedathisformerhomeatTeneriffe。Therehisgrandfatherhadgivenhimadocumentthathadbeenlefthimbyhisfather。Hisgrandfathersaiditcontainedanimportantsecret，butonethatwasofvalueonlyinAmerica，andthatwhenhereturnedtothatcontinenthemustbeverycarefultowhomheshowedit。HetoldmeitwaswritteninakindofEnglishhecouldnotunderstand，andthathehadbeenafraidtoletanyoneseeit。
Hewantedmetoacceptthedocumentinpaymentoftherentheowedme，withtheunderstandingthatIwasnottolookatit，andthatifhegotwellIwastogiveitback。Ifhepulledthrough，hewastopaymeinsomeotherway；butifhediedIwastokeepthedocument。Aboutamonthagohedied，andIexaminedthepaper。Itpurportstotellwherethereisburiedapirate’streasure。And，\"
addedEdgar，gazingatmeseverelyandasthoughhechallengedmetocontradicthim，Iintendtodigforit！\"
HadhetoldmehecontemplatedcrossingtheRockyMountainsinaBabyWright，orleadingacotillon，Icouldnothavebeenmoreastonished。IamafraidIlaughedaloud。
\"You！\"Iexclaimed。\"Searchforburiedtreasure？\"
Mytonevisiblyannoyedhim。Eventheeye—glassesradiateddisapproval。
\"Iseenothingamusingintheidea，\"Edgarprotestedcoldly。\"Itisaplainbusinessproposition。Ifindtheoutlaywillbesmall，andifIamsuccessfulthereturnsshouldbelarge；ataroughestimateaboutonemilliondollars。\"
Evento—day，notrueAmerican，atthethoughtofonemilliondollars，canremaincovered。Hislettertomehadsaid，\"forourmutualbenefit。\"Ibecamerespectfulandpolite，Imightevensayabject。Afterall，thetiesthatbindusinthosedearoldcollegedaysarenotlightlytobedisregarded。
\"IfIcanbeofanyservicetoyou，Edgar，oldman，\"Iassuredhimheartily，\"ifIcanhelpyoufindit，youknowIshallbeonlytoohappy。\"WithregretIobservedthatmygenerousofferdidnotseemtodeeplymovehim。
\"Icametoyouinthismatter，\"hecontinuedstiffly，\"becauseyouseemedtobethesortofpersonwhowouldbeinterestedinasearchforburiedtreasure。\"
\"Iam，\"Iexclaimed。\"Alwayshavebeen。\"
\"Haveyou，\"hedemandedsearchingly，\"anypracticalexperience？\"
Itriedtoappearatease；butIknewthenjusthowthemanwhoappliestolookafteryourfurnacefeels，whenyouaskhimifhecanalsorunasixtyhorse—powerdynamo。
\"IhaveneveractuallyFOUNDanyburiedtreasure，\"Iadmitted；\"butIknowwherelotsofitis，andIknowjusthowtogoafterit。\"I
endeavoredtodazzlehimwithexpertknowledge。
\"Ofcourse，\"Iwentonairily，\"IamfamiliarwithalltheexpeditionsthathavetriedfortheoneonCocosIsland，andIknowallaboutthePeruviantreasureonTrinidad，andthelosttreasuresofJalisconearGuadalajara，andthesunkengalleonontheGrandCayman，andwhenIwasontheIsleofPinesIhadseveralverytemptingofferstosearchthere。AndthelateCaptainBoyntoninvitedme————\"
\"But，\"interruptedEdgarinatonethatwouldtoleratenotrifling，\"youyourselfhaveneverfinancedororganizedanexpeditionwiththeobjectinviewof————\"
\"Oh，thatpart’seasy！\"Iassuredhim。\"Thefitting—outpartyoucansafelyleavetome。\"IassumedaconfidencethatIhopedhemightbelievewasreal。\"There’salwaysatrampsteamerintheErieBasin，\"Isaid，\"thatonecancharterforanykindofadventure，andIhavetheaddressesofenoughsoldiersoffortune，filibusters，andprofessionalrevolutioniststomanabattle—ship，allfinefellowsinatightcorner。AndI’llpromiseyouthey’llfollowustohell，andback————\"
\"That！\"exclaimedEdgar，\"isexactlywhatIfeared！\"
\"Ibegyourpardon！\"Iexclaimed。
\"That’sexactlywhatIDON’Twant，\"saidEdgarsternly。\"Idon’tINTENDtogetintoanytightcorners。Idon’tWANTtogotohell！\"
IsawthatinmyenthusiasmIhadperhapsalarmedhim。Icontinuedmoretemperately。
\"Anyexpeditionaftertreasure，\"Ipointedout，\"isneverwithoutrisk。Youmusthavediscipline，andyoumusthavepickedmen。
Supposethere’samutiny？Supposetheytrytorobusofthetreasureonourwayhome？Wemusthavemenwecanrelyon，andmenwhoknowhowtopumpaWinchester。Icangetyouboth。AndBannermanwillfurnishmewithanythingfromapairoflegginstoaquickfiringgun，andonClarkStreetthey’llquotemeaspecialrateonshipstores，hydraulicpumps，divers’helmets————\"
Edgar’seye—glassesbecamefrostedwithcold，condemnatoryscorn。
Heshookhisheaddisgustedly。
\"Iwasafraidofthis！\"hemurmured。
Iendeavoredtoreassurehim。
\"Alittledanger，\"Ilaughed，\"onlyaddstothefun。\"
\"Iwantyoutounderstand，\"exclaimedEdgarindignantly，\"thereisn’tgoingtobeanydanger。Thereisn’tgoingtobeanyfun。Thisisaplainbusinessproposition。Iaskedyouthosequestionsjusttotestyou。AndyouapproachedthematterexactlyasIfearedyouwould。Iwaspreparedforit。Infact，\"heexplainedshamefacedly，\"I’vereadseveralofyourlittlestories，andIfindtheyruntoadventureandbloodandthunder；theyarenotoftheanalyticalschooloffiction。Judgingfromthem，\"headdedaccusingly，\"youhaveatendencytotheromantic。\"HespokereluctantlyasthoughsayingIhadatendencytoepilepticfitsorthemorphinehabit。
\"Iamafraid，\"Iwasforcedtoadmit，\"thattomepiratesandburiedtreasurealwayssuggestadventure。Andyourcriticismofmywritingsiswellobserved。Othershavediscoveredthesamefatalweakness。Wecannotall，\"Ipointedout，\"manufactureunshrinkableflannels。\"
Atthiscomplimenttohismorefortunatecondition，Edgarseemedtosoften。
\"Igrantyou，\"hesaid，\"thatthesubjecthasalmostinvariablybeenapproachedfromthepointofviewyoutake。Andwhat，\"hedemandedtriumphantly，\"hasbeentheresult？Failure，oratleast，beforesuccesswasattained，amostunnecessaryandregrettablelossofbloodandlife。Now，onmyexpedition，Idonotintendthatanybloodshallbeshed，orthatanybodyshalllosehislife。I
havenotenteredintothismatterhastily。Ihavetakenoutinformation，andmeantobenefitbyotherpeople’smistakes。WhenIdecidedtogoonwiththis，\"heexplained，\"Ireadallthebooksthatbearonsearchesforburiedtreasure，andIfoundthatineachcasethesamemistakesweremade，andthatthen，inordertoremedythemistakes，itwasinvariablynecessarytokillsomebody。Now，bynotmakingthosemistakes，itwillnotbenecessaryformetokillanyone，andnobodyisgoingtohaveachancetokillme。
\"Youproposethatwefitoutaschoonerandsignonacrew。Whatwillhappen？Amanwithasabrecutacrosshisforehead，orwithablackpatchoveroneeye，willinevitablybeoneofthatcrew。And，assoonaswesail，hewillatoncebegintoplotagainstus。A
cabinboywhotheconspiratorsthinkisasleepinhisbunkwilloverheartheirplotandwillruntothequarter—decktogivewarning；butapistolshotringsout，andthecabinboyfallsatthefootofthecompanionladder。Thecabinboyisalwaysthefirstonetogo。Afterthatthemutineerskillthefirstmate，andlockusinourcabin，andtakeovertheship。Theywillthenbroachacaskofrum，andallthroughthenightwewilllistentotheirdrunkenhowlings，andfromthecabinairportwatchthebodyofthefirstmaterollingintheleescuppers。\"
\"Butyouforget，\"Iprotestedeagerly，\"thereisalwaysONE
faithfulmemberofthecrew，who————\"
Edgarinterruptedmeimpatiently。
\"Ihavenotoverlookedhim，\"hesaid。\"HeisaJamaicanegroofgiganticproportions，ortheship’scook；buthealwaysgetshistoo，andhegetsitgood。TheythrowHIMtothesharks！Thenweallcampoutonadesertislandinhabitedonlybygoats，andwebuildastockade，andthemutineerscometotreatwithusunderawhiteflag，andwe，trustingentirelytotheirhonor，arefoolsenoughtogooutandtalkwiththem。Atwhichtheyshootusup，andwithdrawlaughingscornfully。\"Edgarfixedhiseye—glassesuponmeaccusingly。
\"AmIright，oramIwrong？\"hedemanded。Iwasunabletoanswer。
\"Theonlyman，\"continuedEdgarwarmlywhoevershowedtheslightestintelligenceinthematterwasthefellowinthe’GoldBug。HEkepthismouthshut。Heneverletanyoneknowthathewasafterburiedtreasure，untilhefoundit。That’sme！NowIknowEXACTLYwherethistreasureis，and————\"
Isuppose，involuntarily，Imusthavegivenastartofinterest；
forEdgarpausedandshookhishead，slylyandcunningly。\"AndifyouthinkIhavethemaponmypersonnow，\"hedeclaredintriumph，\"you’llhavetoguessagain！\"
\"Really，\"Iprotested，\"Ihadnointention————\"
\"Notyou，perhaps，\"saidEdgargrudgingly；\"butyourJapanesevaletconcealshimselfbehindthosecurtains，followsmehome，andatnight————\"
\"Ihaven’tgotavalet，\"Iobjected。
Edgarmerelysmiledwiththemostaggravatingself—sufficiency。
\"Itmakesnodifference，\"hedeclared。\"NOONEwilleverfindthatmap，orseethatmap，orknowwherethattreasureis，untilIpointtothespot。\"
\"Yourcautionisadmirable，\"Isaid；\"butwhat，\"Ijeered，\"makesyouthinkyoucanpointtothespot，becauseyourmapsayssomethinglike，’ThroughtheSunkenValleytoWitch’sCaldron，fourpointsN。byN。E。toGallowsHillwheretheshadowfallsatsunrise，fiftyfathomswest，fiftypacesnorthasthecrowflies，totheSevenWells’？Howthedeuce，\"Idemanded，\"isanyonegoingtopointtothatspot？\"
\"Itisn’tthatkindofmap，\"shoutedEdgartriumphantly。\"Ifithadbeen，Iwouldn’thavegoneonwithit。It’samapanybodycanreadexceptahalf—castePortuguesesailor。It’sasplainasalaundrybill。Itsays，\"hepausedapprehensively，andthencontinuedwithcaution，\"itsaysatsuchandsuchaplacethereisasomething。Somanysomethingsfromthatsomethingarethreewhat—you—may—call—’ems，andinthecentreofthesethreewhat—you—may—call—’emsisburiedthetreasure。It’sasplainasthat！\"
\"Evenwiththefewdetailsyouhaveletescapeyou，\"Isaid，\"I
couldfindTHATspotinmysleep。\"
\"Idon’tthinkyoucould，\"saidEdgaruncomfortably；butIcouldseethathehadmentallywarnedhimselftobelesscommunicative。
\"And，\"hewenton，\"Iamwillingtoleadyoutoit，ifyousubscribetocertainconditions。\"
Edgar’sinsultingcautionhadruffledmyspirit。
\"WhydoyouthinkyoucantrustME？\"Iaskedhaughtily。Andthen，rememberingmyshareofthemilliondollars，Iaddedinhaste，\"I
accepttheconditions。\"
\"Ofcourse，asyousay，onehasgottotakeSOMErisk，\"Edgarcontinued；\"butIfeelsure，\"hesaid，regardingmedoubtfully，\"youwouldnotstooptoopenrobbery。\"Ithankedhim。
\"Well，untiloneistempted，\"saidEdgar，\"oneneverknowsWHAThemightdo。AndI’vesimplyGOTtohaveoneotherman，andIpickedonyoubecauseIthoughtyoucouldwriteaboutit。\"
\"Isee，\"Isaid，\"Iamtoactasthehistorianoftheexpedition。\"
\"Thatwillbearrangedlater，\"saidEdgar。\"WhatIchieflywantyouforistodig。Canyoudig？\"heaskedeagerly。ItoldhimIcould；
butthatIwouldratherdoalmostanythingelse。
\"IMUSThaveoneotherman，\"repeatedEdgar，\"amanwhoisstrongenoughtodig，andstrongenoughtoresistthetemptationtomurderme。\"TheretortwassoeasythatIletitpass。Besides，onEdgar，itwouldhavebeenwasted。
\"ITHINKyouwilldo，\"hesaidwithreluctance。\"Andnowtheconditions！\"
Ismiledagreeably。
\"Youarealreadysworntosecrecy，\"saidEdgar。\"Andyounowagreeineverydetailtoobeymeimplicitly，andtoaccompanymetoacertainplace，whereyouwilldig。IfIfindthetreasure，youagree，tohelpmeguardit，andconveyittowhereverIdecideitissafetoleaveit。Yourresponsibilityisthenatanend。Oneyearafterthetreasureisdiscovered，youwillbefreetowritetheaccountoftheexpedition。Forwhatyouwrite，somemagazinemaypayyou。Whatitpaysyouwillbeyourshareofthetreasure。\"
Ofmypartofthemilliondollars，whichIhadhastilycalculatedcouldnotbelessthanone—fifth，Ihadalreadyspentoveronehundredthousanddollarsandwaslivingfarbeyondmymeans。IhadboughtafarmwithawaterfrontontheSound，amotor—boat，and，asIwasnotsurewhichmakeIpreferred，threeautomobiles。Ihadatmyown，expenseproducedaplayofminethatnomanagerhadappreciated，anditsnameinelectriclightswasalreadyblindingBroadway。IhadpurchasedaHollanderexpressrifle，aREALambercigarholder，aprivatesecretarywhocouldplaybothrag—timeandtennis，andafurcoat。SoEdgar’sgenerousofferleftmenaked。
WhenIhadagainaccustomedmyselftothenarrowconfinesofmyflat，andthejoltofthesurfacecars，Iaskedhumbly：
\"IsthatALLIget？\"
\"Whyshouldyouexpectanymore？\"demandedEdgar。\"Itisn’tYOUR
treasure。Youwouldn’texpectmetomakeyouapresentofaninterestinmymills；whyshouldyougetashareofmytreasure？\"
Hegazedatmereproachfully。\"Ithoughtyou’dbepleased，\"hesaid。\"Itmustbehardtothinkofthingstowriteabout，andI’mgivingyouasubjectfornothing。Ithought，\"heremonstrated，\"you’djumpatthechance。Itisn’teverydayamancandigforburiedtreasure。\"
\"That’sallright，\"Isaid。\"PerhapsIappreciatethatquiteaswellasyoudo。Butmytimehasacertainsmallvalue，andIcan’tleavemyworkjustforexcitement。Wemaybeweeks，months————Howlongdoyouthinkwe————\"
Behindhiseye—glassesEdgarwinkedreprovingly。
\"Thatisaleadingquestion，\"hesaid。\"Iwillpayallyourlegitimateexpenses——transportation，food，lodging。Itwon’tcostyouacent。Andyouwritethestory——withmynameleftout，\"headdedhastily；\"itwouldhurtmystandinginthetrade，\"heexplained——\"andgetpaidforit。\"
IsawaseavoyageatEdgar’sexpense。Isawpalmleaves，coralreefs。IfeltmymusclesachingandthesweatrunfrommyneckandshouldersasIdrovemypickintothechestofgold。
\"I’llgowithyou！\"Isaid。Weshookhandsonit。\"Whendowestart？\"Iasked。
\"Now！\"saidEdgar。Ithoughthewishedtotestme；hehadtouchedupononeofmypetvanities。
\"Youcan’tdothatwithme！\"Isaid。\"Mybagsarepackedandreadyforanyplaceinthewideworld，exceptthecoldplaces。Icanstartthisminute。Whereisit，theGoldCoast，theIvoryCoast，theSpanishMain————\"
Edgarfrownedinscrutably。\"Haveyouanemptysuit—case？\"heasked。
\"WhyEMPTY？\"Idemanded。
\"Tocarrythetreasure，\"saidEdgar。\"Ileftmineinthehall。Wewillneedtwo。\"
\"Andyourtrunks？\"Isaid。
\"Therearen’tgoingtobeanytrunks，\"saidEdgar。FromhispockethehadtakenafolderoftheNewJerseyCentralRailroad。\"Ifwehurry，\"heexclaimed，\"wecancatchtheten—thirtyexpress，andreturntoNewYorkintimefordinner。\"
\"Andwhataboutthetreasure？\"Iroared。
\"We’ll’bringitwithus，\"saidEdgar。
Iaskedforinformation。Idemandedconfidences。Edgarrefusedboth。IinsistedthatImightbeallowedatleasttocarrymyautomaticpistol。\"Supposesomeonetriestotakethetreasurefromus？\"Ipointedout。
\"Noone，\"saidEdgarseverely，\"wouldbesuchanassastoimaginewearecarryingburiedtreasureinasuit—case。Hewillthinkitcontainspajamas。\"
\"Forlocalcolor，then，\"Ibegged，\"IwanttosayinmystorythatIwentheavilyarmed。\"
\"Sayit，then，\"snappedEdgar。\"Butyoucan’tDOit！Notwithme，youcan’t！HowdoIknowyoumightn’t————\"Heshookhisheadwarily。
ItwasadayinearlyOctober，thehazeofIndiansummerwasintheair，andaswecrossedtheNorthRiverbytheTwenty—thirdStreetFerrythesunflasheduponthewhitecloudsoverheadandthetumblingwatersbelow。OneachsideofusgreatvesselswiththeBluePeterattheforelayatthewharfsreadytocastoff，orwerealreadynosingtheirwaydownthechanneltowardstrangeandbeautifulports。LamportandHoltwererollingdowntoRio；theRoyalMail’sMAGDALENA，nolonger\"whiteandgold，\"wasofftoKingston，whereoncesevenpiratesswunginchains；theCLYDEwasonherwaytoHaytiwherethebuccaneerscamefrom；theMORRO
CASTLEwasboundforHavana，whichMorgan，kingofallthepirates，hadoncemadehisown；andtheREDDwassteamingtoPortoCabellowhereSirFrancisDrake，asbigabuccaneerasanyofthem，liesentombedinherharbor。AndIwassettingforthonaburied—treasureexpeditiononasnub—nosed，flat—bellied，fresh—waterferry—boat，boundforJerseyCity！Noonewilleverknowmysenseofhumiliation。And，whentheItalianboyinsultedmyimmaculatetanshoesbypointingatthemandsaying，\"Shine？\"I
couldhaveslainhim。Fancydiggingforburiedtreasureinfreshlyvarnishedboots！ButEdgardidnotmind。Tohimtherewasnothinglacking；itwasjustasitshouldbe。HewasdeeplyengrossedincalculatinghowmanyofficeswereforrentintheSingerBuilding！
Whenwereachedtheotherside，herefusedtoansweranyofmyeagerquestions。Hewouldnotletmeknowevenforwhatplaceonthelinehehadpurchasedourtickets，and，asahintthatIshouldnotdisturbhim，hestuffedintomyhandsthelatestmagazines。\"Atleasttellmethis，\"Idemanded。\"Haveyoueverbeentothisplacebeforeto—day？\"
\"0nce，\"saidEdgarshortly，\"lastweek。That’swhenIfoundoutI
wouldneedsomeonewithmewhocoulddig。\"
\"Howdoyouknowit’stheRIGHTplace？\"Iwhispered。
Thesummerseasonwasover，andofthechaircarweweretheonlyoccupants；but，beforeheanswered，Edgarlookedcautiouslyroundhimandoutofthewindow。WehadjustpassedRedBank。
\"Becausethemaptoldme，\"heanswered。\"Suppose，\"hecontinuedfretfully，\"youhadamapofNewYorkCitywiththestreetsmarkedonitplainly？SupposethemapsaidthatifyouwalkedtowhereBroadwayandFifthAvenuemeet，youwouldfindtheFlatironBuilding。Doyouthinkyoucouldfindit？\"
\"WasitaseasyasTHAT？\"Igasped。
\"ItwasaseasyasTHAT！\"saidEdgar。
Isankbackintomychairandletthemagazinesslidetothefloor。
Whatfictionstorywasthereinanyoneofthemsoenthrallingastheactualpossibilitiesthatlaybeforeme？IntwohoursImightbebendingoverapotofgold，aseacheststuffedwithpearlsandrubies！
IbegantorecallallthestoriesIhadheardasaboyoftreasureburiedalongthecoastbyKiddonhisreturnvoyagefromtheIndies。WherealongtheJerseysea—lineweretheresafeharbors？
ThetrainonwhichwewereracingsouthhaditsrailheadatBarnegatBay。AndbetweenBarnegatandRedBanktherenowwasbutoneotherinlet，thatoftheManasquanRiver。ItmightbeBarnegat；
itmightbeManasquan。Itcouldnotbeagreatdistancefromeither；towardtheoceandownabroad，sandyroad。Theseasonhadpassedandthewindowsofthecottagesandbungalowsoneithersideoftheroadwerebarricadedwithplanks。Ontheverandashammocksabandonedtothewindshungintatters，onthebackporchesthedoorsofemptyrefrigeratorsswungopenononehinge，andoneverysideabovethefieldsofgorgeousgolden—rodrosesignsreading\"ForRent。\"Whenwehadprogressedinsilenceforamile，thesandyavenuelostitselfinthedeepersandofthebeach，andthehorseofhisownwillcametoahalt。
Ononesideweweresurroundedbylockedanddesertedbathinghouses，ontheotherbyemptypavilionsshutteredandbarredagainstthewinter，butstillinvitingoneto’Tryoursaltwatertaffy\"orto\"Keepcoolwithanice—creamsoda。\"RupertturnedandlookedinquiringlyatEdgar。TothenorththebeachstretchedinanunbrokenlinetoManasquanInlet。Tothesouththreemilesawaywecouldseefloatingonthehorizon—likeamiragethehotelsandsummercottagesofBayHead。
\"Drivetowardtheinlet，\"directedEdgar。\"ThisgentlemanandI
willwalk。\"
Relievedofourweight，thehorsestumbledbravelyintothetracklesssand，whilebelowonthedamperandfirmershinglewewalkedbytheedgeofthewater。
Thetidewascominginandthespentwaves，spreadingbeforethemanadvanceguardoftinyshellsandpebbles，threatenedourboots’
andatthesametimeinsoothing，lazywhisperswarnedusoftheirattack。Theselispingmurmursandthecrashandroarofeachincomingwaveasitbrokeweretheonlysounds。Andonthebeachweweretheonlyhumanfigures。Atlastthescenebegantobearsomeresemblancetoonesetforanadventure。Therollingocean，acoaststeamerdraggingagreatcolumnofblacksmoke，andcasthighuponthebeachthewreckofaschooner，hermaststiltingdrunkenly，gavecolortoourpurpose。Itbecamefilledwithgreaterpromiseofdrama，morepicturesque。Ibegantothrillwithexcitement。I
regardedEdgarappealingly，ineagersupplication。Atlasthebrokethesilencethatwastorturingme。
\"Wewillnowwalkhigherup，\"hecommanded。\"Ifwegetourfeetwet，wemaytakecold。\"
Myspiritwastoofarbrokentomakereply。ButtomyreliefIsawthatinleavingthebeachEdgarhadsomesecondpurpose。Witheachheavystephewasdrawingtowardtwohighbanksofsandinahollowbehindwhich，protectedbythebanks，werethreestunted，wind—drivenpines。Hiswordscamebacktome。
\"Somanywhat—you—may—call—’ems。\"Werethesepinesthethreesomethingsfromsomething，thewhat—you—may—call—’ems？Thethoughtchilledmetothespine。Igazedatthemfascinated。Ifeltlikefallingonmykneesinthesandandtearingtheirsecretfromthemwithmybarehands。Iwasstrongenoughtodigthemupbytheroots，strongenoughtodigthePanamaCanal！IglancedtremulouslyatEdgar。Hiseyeswerewideopenand，eloquentwithdismay，hislowerjawhadfallen。Heturnedandlookedatmeforthefirsttimewithconsideration。Apologyandremorsewerewrittenineverylineofhiscountenance。
I’msorry，hestammered。Ihadacruelpremonition。Iexclaimedwithdistress。
\"Youhavelostthemap！\"Ihissed。
\"No，no，\"protestedEdgar；\"butIentirelyforgottobringanylunch！\"
WithviolentmutteringsItoreoffmyupperandoutergarmentsandtossedthemintothehack。
\"WheredoIbegin？\"Iasked。
Edgarpointedtoaspotinsidethetriangleformedbythethreetreesandequallydistantfromeach。
\"Putthathorsebehindthebank，\"Icommanded，\"wherenoonecanseehim！AndbothyouandRupertkeepoffthesky—line！\"Fromthenorthandsouthwewerenowallthreehiddenbythetwohighbanksofsand；totheeastlaythebeachandtheAtlanticOcean，andtotheweststretchesofmarshesthatamileawaymetawoodofpinetreesandtherailroadround—house。
Ibegantodig。Iknewthatwearyhourslaybeforeme，andI
attackedthesandleisurelyandwithdeliberation。Itwasatfirstnogreateffort；butastheholegrewindepth，andtherootsofthetreeswereexposed，theworkwassufficientforseveralmen。
Still，asEdgarhadsaid，itisnoteverydaythatonecandigfortreasure，andinthinkingofwhatwastocomeIforgotmyhandsthatquicklyblistered，andmybreakingback。AfteranhourI
insistedthatEdgarshouldtakeaturn；buthemadesuchpoorheadwaythatmypatiencecouldnotcontainme，andItoldhimIwassufficientlyrestedandwouldcontinue。Withalacrityhescrambledoutofthehole，and，takingacigarfrommycase，seatedhimselfcomfortablyinthehack。Itookmycomfortinanticipatingthethrillthatwouldbeminewhenthespadewouldringontheironboundchest；when，withablowoftheaxe，Iwouldexposetoviewthehiddenjewels，thepiecesofeight，coatedwithverdigris，thestringofpearls，thechainsofyellowgold。Edgarhadsaidamilliondollars。Thatmustmeantherewouldbediamonds，manydiamonds。Iwouldholdtheminmyhands，watchthem，atthesuddensunshine，blinktheireyesandburstintotiny，burningfires。InimaginationIwouldreplacetheminthesetting，fromwhich，yearsbefore，theyhadbeenstolen。Iwouldtrytoguesswhencetheycamefromajewelledchaliceinsomedimcathedral，fromthebreastofagreatlady，fromthehiltofanadmiral’ssword。
AfteranotherhourIliftedmyachingshouldersand，wipingthesweatfrommyeyes，lookedovertheedgeofthehole。Rupert，withhisbacktothesand—hill，wasasleep。Edgarwithonehandwaswavingawaythemosquitoesandintheotherwasholdingoneofthemagazineshehadboughtonthewaydown。Icouldevenseethepageuponwhichhiseyeswereriveted。Itwasanadvertisementforbreakfastfood。Inmyindignationthespadeslippedthroughmycrampedandperspiringfingers，andasitstruckthebottomofthepit，something——abandofiron，asteellock，anironring——gaveforthamuffledsound。MyheartstoppedbeatingassuddenlyasthoughMr。Corbetthadhititwithhisclosedfist。Mybloodturnedtomeltedice。Idrovethespadedownasfiercelyasthoughitwasadagger。Itsankintorottenwood。Ihadmadenosound；forI
couldhardlybreathe。ButtheslightnoiseoftheblowhadreachedEdgar。Iheardthespringsofthehackcreakashevaultedfromit，andthenextmomenthewastoweringaboveme，peeringdownintothepit。Hiseyeswerewidewithexcitement，greed，andfear。Inhishandsheclutchedthetwosuit—cases。Likealiondefendinghiscubsheglaredatme。
\"Getout！\"heshouted。
\"Likehell！\"Isaid。
\"Getout！\"heroared。\"I’lldotherest。
That’smine，notyours！GETOUT！\"
WithaswiftkickIbrushedawaythesand。IfoundIwasstandingonasquatwoodenbox，boundwithbandsofrustyiron。Ihadonlytostooptotouchit。ItwassorottenthatIcouldhavetornitapartwithmybarehands。Edgarwasdancingontheedgeofthepit，incidentallykickingsandintomymouthandnostrils。
\"YouPROMISEDme！\"heroared。\"YouPROMISEDtoobeyme！\"
\"Youass！\"Ishouted。\"Haven’tIdoneallthework？Don’tI
get————\"
\"Yougetout！\"roaredEdgar。
Slowly，disgustedly，withwhatdignityonecandisplayincrawlingoutofasand—pit，Iscrambledtothetop。
\"Gooverthere，\"commandedEdgarpointing，\"andsitdown。\"
InfurioussilenceIseatedmyselfbesideRupert。Hewasstillslumberingandsnoringhappily。FromwhereIsatIcouldseenothingofwhatwasgoingforwardinthepit，saveonce，whentheheadofEdgar，hiseyesaflameandhishairandeye—glassessprinkledwithsand，appearedaboveit。ApparentlyhewasfearfullestIhadmovedfromthespotwherehehadplacedme。Ihadnot；
buthadheknownmyinmostfeelingshewouldhavetakentheaxeintothepitwithhim。
Imusthavesatsoforhalfanhour。Intheskyabovemeafish—hawkdriftedlazily。Fromthebeachsoundedthesteadybeatofthewaves，andfromthetownacrossthemarshescamethepuffingofalocomotiveandtheclangingbellsofthefreighttrains。Thebreezefromtheseacooledthesweatonmyachingbody；butitcouldnotcooltherageinmyheart。IfIhadthecourageofmyfeelings，IwouldhavecrackedEdgaroverheadwiththespade，buriedhiminthepit，bribedRupert，andforeverafterlivedhappilyonmyill—gottengains。ThatwashowKidd，orMorgan，orBlackbeardwouldhaveacted。Icursedtheeffetecivilizationwhichhadtaughtmetowantmanypleasuresbuthadleftmewithaconsciencethatwouldnotletmetakehumanlifetoobtainthem，notevenEdgar’slife。
Inhalfanhourasuit—casewasliftedintoviewanddroppedontheedgeofthepit。Itwasfollowedbytheother，andthenbyEdgar。
Withoutaskingmetohelphim，becauseheprobablyknewIwouldnot，heshovelledthesandintothehole，andthenplacedthesuitcasesinthecarriage。WithincreasingangerIobservedthatthecontentsofeachweresoheavythattoliftitheusedbothhands。
\"Thereisnouseyouraskinganyquestions，\"heannounced，\"becauseIwon’tanswerthem。\"
Igavehimminutedirectionsastowherehecouldgo；butinsteadwedroveinblacksilencetothestation。ThereEdgarrewardedRupertwithadime，andwhilewewaitedforthetraintoNewYorkplacedthetwosuit—casesagainstthewalloftheticketofficeandsatuponthem。WhenthetrainarrivedhewarnedmeinahoarsewhisperthatIhadpromisedtohelphimguardthetreasure，andgavemeoneofthesuit—cases。Itweighedaton。JusttospiteEdgar，Ihadaplantokickitopen，sothateveryoneontheplatformmightscrambleforthecontents。ButagainmyinfernalNewEnglandconsciencerestrainedme。
Edgarhadsecuredthedrawing—roomintheparlor—car，andwhenweweresafelyinsideandthedoorboltedmycuriositybecamestrongerthanmypride。
\"Edgar，\"Isaid，\"youringratitudeiscontemptible。Yoursuspicionsareridiculous；but，underthesemostunusualconditions，Idon’tblameyou。Butwearequitesafenow。Thedoorisfastened，\"I
pointedoutingratiatingly，itandthistraindoesn’tstopforanotherfortyminutes。Ithinkthiswouldbeanexcellenttimetolookatthetreasure。\"\"Idon’t！\"saidEdgar。
Isankbackintomychair。WithintenseenjoymentIimaginedthetraininwhichwewereseatedhurlingitselfintoanothertrain；
andeverybody，includingEdgar，or，rather，especiallyEdgar，beinginstantlybutpainlesslykilled。Bysuchanactofanall—wiseProvidenceIwouldatoncebecomeheirtoonemilliondollars。Itwasabeautiful，satisfyingdream。EvenMYconscienceaccepteditwithasmugsmile。ItwassovividadreamthatIsatguiltilyexpectant，waitingforthecrashtocome，fortheshrieksandscreams，fortherushofescapingsteamandbreakingwindow—panes。
Butitwasfartoogoodtobetrue。WithoutajarthetraincarriedusanditspreciousburdeninsafetytotheJerseyCityterminal。
Andeach，withhalfamilliondollarsinhishand，hurriedtotheferry，assailedbyporters，news—boys，hackmen。Tothemwewereacoupleofcommuterssavingadimebycarryingourownhand—bags。
Itwasnowsixo’clock，andIpointedouttoEdgarthatatthathourtheonlyvaultsopenwerethoseoftheNightandDayBank。Andtothatinstitutioninataxicabweatoncemadeourway。Ipaidthechauffeur，andtwominuteslater，withagaspofreliefandrejoicing，Idroppedthesuit—caseIhadcarriedonatableinthesteel—walledfastnessesofthevaults。Gatheredexcitedlyaroundusweretheofficialsofthebank，summonedhastilyfromabove，andwatchmeninplainclothes，andwatchmeninuniformsofgray。Greatbarsasthickasmylegprotectedus。Wallsofchilledsteelrisingfromsolidrockstoodbetweenourtreasureandtheouterworld。
UntilthenIhadnotknownhowtremendousthenervousstrainhadbeen；butnowitcamehometome。Imoppedtheperspirationfrommyforehead，Idrewadeepbreath。
\"Edgar，\"Iexclaimedhappily，\"Icongratulateyou！\"IfoundEdgarextendingtowardmeatwo—dollarbill。\"Yougavethechauffeurtwodollars，\"’hesaid。\"Thefarewasreallyonedollareighty；soyouowemetwentycents。\"
MechanicallyIlaidtwodimesuponthetable。
\"Alltheotherexpenses，\"continuedEdgar，\"whichIagreedtopay，Ihavepaid。\"Hemadeaperemptorygesture。\"Iwon’tdetainyouanylonger，\"hesaid。\"Good—night！\"
\"Good—night！\"Icried。\"Don’tIseethetreasure？\"Againstthewallsofchilledsteelmyvoiceroselikethatofatorturedsoul。
\"Don’tItouchit！\"Iyelled。\"Don’tIevengetasquint？\"
Eventhewatchmenlookedsorryforme。
\"Youdonot！\"saidEdgarcalmly。\"Youhavefulfilledyourpartoftheagreement。Ihavefulfilledmine。Ayearfromnowyoucanwritethestory。\"AsImovedinadazedstatetowardthesteeldoor，hisvoicehaltedme。
\"Andyoucansayinyourstory，\"calledEdgar，\"thatthereisonlyonewaytogetaburiedtreasure。Thatistogo，andgetit！\"
THECONSUL
Foroverfortyyears，inonepartoftheworldoranother，oldmanMarshallhad，servedhiscountryasaUnitedStatesconsul。HehadbeenappointedbyLincoln。Foraquarterofacenturythatfactwashisdistinction。Itwasnowhisepitaph。Butinformeryears，aseachnewadministrationsucceededtheold，ithadagainandagainsavedhisofficialhead。Whenvictoriousandvoraciousplace—hunters，searchingthemapoftheworldforspoils，dugouthishiding—placeanddemandedhisconsularsignasarewardforayoungerandmoreaggressivepartyworker，theghostofthedeadPresidentprotectedhim。IntheStateDepartment，Marshallhadbecomeatradition。\"Youcan’ttouchHim！\"theStateDepartmentwouldsay；\"why，HEwasappointedbyLincoln！\"Secretly，forthisweaponagainstthehungryheadhunters，thedepartmentwasinfinitelygrateful。OldmanMarshallwasaconsulafteritsownheart。Likeasoldier，hewasobedient，disciplined；whereverhewassent，there，withoutquestion，hewouldgo。Neveragainstexile，againstill—health，againstclimatedidhemakecomplaint。