Part 46 (2/2)

Down under the sea the action of water had not destroyed the color of those bars which he held up in the dih the waters The dull yellow of those rough ingots seehtness before his bewildered eyes, and filled his whole soul with a torrent of rapture and of triuold fell down froainst the wall

But as it that lay under his feet? What were all these bars? Were they all gold? Was this indeed all here--the plunder of the Spanish treasure-shi+ps--the wealth which doold and jewels in countless store?

A few moments of respite were needed in order to overcoed within his breast Then once more he stooped down His outstretched hand felt over all this space which thus was piled up with treasure

It was about four feet square The ingots lay in the centre Around the sides were boxes One of these he took out It wasand eight wide The rusty nails gave but little resistance, and the iron bands which once bound them peeled off at a touch He opened the box

Inside was a casket

He tore open the casket

_It was filled with jewels!_

His as ended No htly to the end of the signal-line, added to it a bar of gold, and claht that was at his waist, which he also fastened to the line, and let it go

Freed froht he rose buoyantly to the top of the water

The boat pulled rapidly toward him and took him in As he removed his helmet he saw Frank's eyes fixed on his in mute inquiry His face was ashen, his lips bloodless

Louis smiled

”Heavens!” cried Frank, ”can it be?”

”Pull up the signal-line and see for yourself,” was the answer

And, as Frank pulled, Louis uttered a cry which made him look up

Louis pointed to the sun ”Good God! what a time I must have been down!”

”Time!” said Frank ”Don't say time--it was eternity!”

CHAPTER XXIV

BEATRICE'S JOURNAL

BRANDON HALL

Septehetti used to say that it was useful to keep a diary; not one froenerally trivial, and therefore not worthy of record; but rather a statement in full of more important events in one's life, which un this sixteen o, when I first came here How full would have been in?

Of course, with my arrival here, for that is the time e separated