Part 41 (1/2)
”And what did you do with your share?”
”I'll-er-I'll tell you when we get out of this hole.”
”You'll tell me right now, Merwell!” And again Dave caught the culprit by the arm.
”I-I put my share of the jewels in my money-belt,” he faltered.
”Have you it on now?”
”Yes. But Nick has the best of the jewels-I got only the little ones,”
went on Link Merwell, half-angrily. It was easy to surmise that he and Jasniff had not gotten along well together.
”How is it Jasniff got the best of them?”
”He had the jewel-case when we were about to leave the bark during the storm. Everybody was excited, and he said we couldn't carry the case-that it wouldn't be safe, for we might drop it and all of the jewels would be lost. He said we had better divide them and put them in our belts. We had bought belts for that purpose in Jacksonville. So we took the jewels out of the case and threw the box away. I thought I had my share, but after we got to this island, and I had a chance to look, I saw he had the lion's share, about three-quarters, in fact, and all the big ones.”
”And he has them now?”
”Yes,-that is, he did have them just before we saw you.”
”Did you sell or p.a.w.n any of the jewels?”
”Only a few small ones. We were afraid to offer the big ones, so soon after the-well, you know,” and Link Merwell stopped short, looking everything but happy.
”You mean so soon after the robbery,” said Dave, bluntly.
”Yes.”
”Link, whatever-but never mind that now,” continued our hero, hastily.
”Hand over the money-belt.”
”What, now?”
”Yes, at once. I'll not trust you to carry those jewels a minute longer.”
”Can't you wait till we get out of this wretched hole?”
”I might, but I am not going to. Hand it over and be careful that none of the jewels are lost. Your father may have to pay for the others.”
With fingers that trembled from fear and chilliness, Link Merwell slipped his hands under the light clothing he wore and took off the money-belt that encircled his waist.
”There is some money there that belongs to me,” he began, hesitatingly.
”You'll get back what is yours, never fear,” answered Dave, and took the belt. He saw to it that it was tightly closed, then fastened it around his own waist.
”Remember, Nick has the best of the jewels,” went on Merwell, rather spitefully.
”I am not likely to forget it,” answered Dave, grimly. ”Now, the sooner we get out of this hole the better.”
Merwell was just as anxious to see daylight, even if he was to be held a prisoner, and together the boys hunted around for some exit from the underground watercourse. But the only way out seemed to be far overhead, and to climb up the smooth, sloping rocks proved impossible.