"It is unquestionably a plan, a guidance, given to a person not previously acquainted with the island but cognizant of some fact connected with it.

Unfortunately none of the buccaneers I can bring to mind frequented these seas.

The poor beggar who left it here must have had some other motive than searching for a cache." "Did he dig the cave and the well, I wonder ?" "Probably the former, but not the well.

No man could do it unaided." "Why do you assume he was alone ?" He strolled towards the fire to kick a stray log.

"It is only idle speculation at the best, Miss Deane," he replied.