Cayman, and when I was on the Isle of Pines I had several very
tempting offers to search there. And the late Captain Boynton
invited me----"

"But," interrupted Edgar in a tone that would tolerate no trifling,
"you yourself have never financed or organized an expedition with
the object in view of----"

"Oh, that part's easy!" I assured him. "The fitting-out part you
can safely leave to me." I assumed a confidence that I hoped he
might believe was real. "There's always a tramp steamer in the Erie
Basin," I said, "that one can charter for any kind of adventure,
and I have the addresses of enough soldiers of fortune,
filibusters, and professional revolutionists to man a battle-ship,
all fine fellows in a tight corner. And I'll promise you they'll
follow us to hell, and back----"

"That!" exclaimed Edgar, "is exactly what I feared! "

"I beg your pardon!" I exclaimed.

"That's exactly what I DON'T want," said Edgar sternly. "I don't
INTEND to get into any tight corners. I don't WANT to go to hell!"

I saw that in my enthusiasm I had perhaps alarmed him. I continued
more temperately.

"Any expedition after treasure," I pointed out, "is never without
risk. You must have discipline, and you must have picked men.
Suppose there's a mutiny? Suppose they try to rob us of the