“As a good Catholic myself,” replied Philip, “I shall be most happy to point out the spot where the treasure is concealed, and restore it to the church.  Your apologies relative to my wife I accept with pleasure, being aware that your conduct proceeded from ignorance of her situation and rank; but I do not exactly see my way clear.  You propose a party of soldiers.  Will they obey me?—­Are they to be trusted?—­I shall, have only myself and friend against them, and will they be obedient?”

“No fear of that, signor, they are well disciplined; there is not even occasion for your friend to go with you.  I wish to retain him with me, to keep me company during your absence.”

“Nay! that I must object to,” replied Philip; “I will not trust myself alone.”

“Perhaps I may be allowed to give an opinion on this subject,” observed Krantz; “I see no reason, if my friend goes accompanied with a party of soldiers only, why I should not go with him; but I consider it would be unadvisable that he proceed in the way the Commandant proposes, either with or without me.  You must recollect, Commandant, that it is no trifling sum which is to be carried away; that it will be open to view, and will meet the eyes of your men; that these men have been detained many years in this country, and are anxious to return home.  When, therefore, they find themselves with only two strangers with them—­away from your authority, and in possession of a large sum of money—­will not the temptation be too strong?  They will only have to run down the southern channel, gain the port of Bantam, and they will be safe; having obtained both freedom and wealth.  To send, therefore, my friend and me, would be to send us to almost certain death; but if you were to go, Commandant, then the danger would no longer exist.  Your presence and your authority would control them; and, whatever their wishes or thoughts might be, they would quail before the flash of your eye.”

“Very true—­very true,” replied Philip—­“all this did not occur to me.”

Nor had it occurred to the Commandant, but when pointed out, the force of these suggestions immediately struck him, and long before Krantz had finished speaking, he had resolved to go himself.

“Well, signors,” replied he; “I am always ready to accede to your wishes; and since you consider my presence necessary, and as I do not think there is any chance of another attack from the Ternate people just now, I will take upon myself the responsibility of leaving the fort for a few days under the charge of my lieutenant, while we do this service to Holy Mother Church.  I have already sent for one of the native vessels, which are large and commodious, and will, with your permission, embark to-morrow.”

“Two vessels will be better,” observed Krantz; “in the first place, in case of an accident; and next because we can embark all the treasure in one with ourselves, and put a portion of the soldiers in the other; so that we may be in greater force, in case of the sight of so much wealth stimulating them to insubordination.”