stuff; that you will not touch the chests or their contents, nor give
any information or suggestion that might lead any one to their
discovery--in fact, that you will not disclose to any one the object of
your residence in this secluded place."

Captain Redfield doffed his hat, and, raising his right hand, said,
"Captain, I so swear."

"Your hand with the oath, Redfield. You are a trusty fellow, and I have
the fullest confidence in you."

"Thank you, Captain."

"But, hold," Captain Kidd continued in his great benevolent voice, "I
had forgotten the conditions. They are: You are to keep the engagement,
if necessary, for five years. Our calling; as you know, is a little
uncertain. At the end of that period, if I have not returned, you will
be at liberty to take up the smaller chest to be deposited to-night, and
use the contents, subject to such division--not to exceed one-half to
each of us--as I may demand on my return. The same conditions will apply
to the other chest for an additional period of five years. In the
event, however, of any special need, I may send an order for some of the
stuff. But look you for my signet. See!" And he drew from his pocket a
piece of resin upon which he had stamped his signet. "Keep that to prove
the genuineness of my written orders. Is everything satisfactory,
Redfield?"

"Everything is satisfactory, Captain."

Captain Redfield was a man of stalwart build. His height was six feet or