“There is some one in the outer office,” I said, and John rose and went out.

“Good morning, Mr. Saunders,” said an unpleasantly soft and cringing voice.

“Good morning,” said John, somewhat grumpily, “what is it you want?”

It was some detail of account, which, being despatched, the man shuffled off, with evident reluctance, casting a long inquisitive look at us seated at the desk, and John, taking up the manuscript once more resumed: 

"... a sum of one million and one half dollars—­buried at a cay known as Dead Men’s Shoes, near Nassau, in the Bahama Islands."

“‘Dead Men’s Shoes!’ I don’t know any such place, do you?” interrupted Charlie.

“No, I don’t—­but, never mind, let’s read it through first and discuss it afterwards,” and John went on: 

"Buried at a cay known as Dead Men’s Shoes, near Nassau, in the Bahama Islands; about fifty feet (50 ft.) south of this Dead Men’s Shoes is a rock, on which we cut the form of a compass.  And twenty feet (20 ft.) East from the cay is another rock on which we cut a cross (X).  Under this rock it is buried four feet (4 ft.) deep.

"The other is a sum of one million dollars ($1,000,000).  It is buried on what was known as Short Shrift Island; on the highest point of this Short Shrift Island is a large cabbage wood stump and twenty feet (20 ft.) south of that stump is the treasure, buried five feet (5 ft.) deep and can be found without difficulty.  Short Shrift Island is a place where passing vessels stop to get fresh water.  No great distance from Nassau, so it can be easily found.

“The first pod was taken from a Spanish merchant and it is in Spanish silver dollars.

“The other on Short Shrift Island is in different kinds of money, taken from different ships of different nations—­it is all good money.

“Now friends, I have told you all that is necessary for you to know, to recover these treasures and I leave it in your hands and it is my request that when you read this, you will at once take steps to recover it, and when you get it, it is my wish that you use it in a way most good for yourself and others.  This is all I ask.

“Now thanking you for your kindness and care and with my best wishes for your prosperity and happiness, I will close, as I am so weak I can hardly hold the pen.

“I am, truly your friend,

HENRY P. TOBIAS.

“Henry P. Tobias?” said Charlie Webster.  “Never heard of him.  Did you, John?”

“Never!”

And then there was a stir in the outer office.  Some one was asking for the Secretary of the Treasury.  So John rose.

“I must get to work now, boys.  We can talk it over to-night.”  And then, handing me the manuscript:  “Take it home with you, if you like, and look it over at your leisure.”

As Charlie Webster and I passed out into the street, I noticed the fellow of the sinister pock-marked visage standing near the window of the inner office.  The window was open, and any one standing outside, could easily have heard everything that passed inside.  As the fellow caught my eye, he smiled unpleasantly, and slunk off down the street.