"I'm not surprised," said Croyden. "It's a long story--too long to tell--save that Parmenter was a pirate, back in 1720, who buried a treasure on Greenberry Point, across the Severn from Annapolis, you know, and died, making Marmaduke Duval his heir, under certain conditions. Marmaduke, in turn, passed it on to his son, and so on, until Colonel Duval bequeathed it to me. We searched--Mr. Macloud and I--for three weeks, but did not find it. Our secret was chanced upon by two rogues, who, with their confederates, however, are under the conviction we _did_ find it. They wanted a rake-off. I laughed at them--and this abduction is the result." "But why abduct the women?" asked the old man. "Because they think I can be coerced more easily. They are under the impression that I am--fond of Miss Carrington. At any rate, they know I'm enough of a friend to pay, rather than subject her to the hazard." "Pay! I can't pay! My whole fortune isn't over twenty thousand dollars. It I will gladly sacrifice, but more is impossible." "You're not to pay, my old friend," said Croyden. "Mr. Macloud and I are the ones aimed at and we will pay." "I won't permit it, sir!" the Captain exclaimed. "There is no reason for you----" "Tut! tut!" said Croyden, "you forget that we are wholly responsible; but for us, Miss Carrington and Miss Cavendish would not have been abducted. The obligation is ours, and we will discharge it. It is our plain, our very plain, duty." The old man threw up his hands in the extremity of despair. "I don't know what to do!" he said. "I don't know what to do!" "Do nothing--leave everything to us. We'll have Miss Carrington back in three days." "And safe?" "And safe--if the letter is trustworthy, and I think it is. The police can't do as well--they may fail entirely--and think of the possible consequences! Miss Carrington and Miss Cavendish are very handsome women." "My God, yes!" exclaimed the Captain. "Anything but that! If they were men, or children, it would be different--they could take some chances. But women!"--He sank on a chair and covered his face with his hands. "You must let me pay what I am able," he insisted. "All that I have----" Croyden let his hand fall sympathizingly on the other's shoulder. "It shall be as you wish," he said quietly. "We will pay, and you can settle with us afterward--our stocks can be converted instantly, you see, while yours will likely require some time." The Captain pulled himself together and arose. "Thank you," he said. "I've been sort of unmanned--I'm better now. Shall you show the detectives the letter--tell them we are going to pay the amount demanded?" "I don't know," said Croyden, uncertainly. "What's your opinion, Colin?"