“What we are doing is our business.”  Jasper Grinder paused for a moment.  “I want you to tell me something of that treasure for which you are seeking,” he went on.

“What do you want to know?” asked Tom.

“What is the treasure worth?”

“We can’t tell that until it is found.”

“You are quite sure it has never been removed?”

“How can we be sure, when we don’t know anything about it.”

“Baxter says your brother Dick has a map.”

“Hasn’t Baxter a map, too?” questioned Sam.

“Something of a map, yes, but it is not very complete.”

“I’m glad to hear that,” said Tom quickly.

“But Baxter claims the treasure for himself.”

“Really?” said Sam sarcastically.  “Well, let him claim what he pleases.  If we find it, it will belong to us—­don’t forget that.”

Again there was a pause.  Jasper Grinder looked anxiously toward the outer cave, to see if Baxter or the guide were watching him.  But the two were talking earnestly between themselves.

“I have a plan,” began the former teacher of Putnam Hall, in a low voice, “a plan to aid you.”

“What plan?” demanded Tom.

“Hush! not so loud—­or they may hear you.  I presume you know what sort of a fellow Baxter is?”

“Well, rather,” said Sam dryly.

“He is planning to do you a great deal of harm.  Now I think I can save you.”

“Then save us,” said Tom.  “Or untie us, and we will save ourselves.”

“You can’t save yourselves.  Baxter is strong, and that guide is a giant in strength.”

“What do you propose?”

“I’m coming to that.  But you must make me a promise first.”

“What promise?”

“That half that treasure shall be mine when it is found.”

“Half!” cried Tom and Sam together.

“Yes.”

“We can’t promise that,” went on Tom.

“You don’t want much,” was Sam’s comment.

“Isn’t it worth something to be saved from Baxter’s clutches?  I overheard him tell the guide what troubles he had had with you in the past, and how you had been the means of sending his father to prison, and all that.  Why, he would put you out of the way forever, if he could.”

“And will you stand by, Jasper Grinder, and see that done?” asked Tom.

“No! no!  But—­but—­he is his own master.  Promise what I wish, and I will help you.”

“We can’t promise you half the treasure,” said Tom flatly.  “But if you will really help us, we’ll promise that you shall lose nothing by the transaction.”

At this instant Dan Baxter leaped to his feet and ran for his gun, while Bill Harney and Lemuel Husty did the same.

“Come out here, Grinder!” shouted the bully.  “Somebody or some wild animal is around!”

CHAPTER XXIII.

The black bear.