"What you're to do, with Mr. Macloud and myself, we will disclose later. If, then, you don't care to aid us, we must ask you to keep silence about it." "I don't want to know anything!" said Axtell. "I'll do my part, and ask no questions--and thank you for trusting me. You're the first man since our failure, who hasn't hit me in the face--don't you think I appreciate it?" "Very good!" said Croyden. "Have you any other baggage?" nodding toward a small bag, which Axtell had in his hand. "No." "Then, come along--we're bound for Annapolis, and the car leaves in ten minutes." X PIRATE'S GOLD BREEDS PIRATE'S WAYS That evening, in the seclusion of their apartment at Carvel Hall, they took Axtell into their confidence--to a certain extent (though, again, he protested his willingness simply to obey orders). They told him, in a general way, of Parmenter's bequest, and how Croyden came to be the legatee--saying nothing of its great value, however--its location, the loss of the letter the previous evening, the episode of the thieves on the Point, that morning, and their evident intention to return to the quest. "Now, what we want to know is: are you ready to help us--unaided by the law--to seize these men and hold them prisoners, while we search for the treasure?" Croyden asked. "We may be killed in the attempt, or we may kill one or both of them, and have to stand trial if detected. If you don't want to take the risk, you have only to decline--and hold your tongue." "My dear Mr. Croyden!" said Axtell, "I don't want you to pay me a cent--just give me my board and lodging and I'll gladly aid you as long as necessary. It's a very little thing to do for one who has lost so much through us. You provide for our defense, if we're apprehended by the law, and _that_" (snapping his fingers) "for the risk." Croyden held out his hand. "We'll shake hands on that, Axtell, if you please," he said; "and, if we recover what Parmenter buried, you'll not regret it." The following morning saw them down at the Point with the equipage and other paraphernalia. The men, whom they had brought from Annapolis for the purpose, pitched the tents under the trees, ditched them, received their pay, climbed into the wagons and rumbled away to town--puzzled that anyone should want to camp on Greenberry Point when they had the price of a hotel, and three square meals a day. "It looks pretty good," said Croyden, when the canvases were up and everything arranged--"and we shan't lack for the beautiful in nature. This is about the prettiest spot I've ever seen, the Chesapeake and the broad river--the old town and the Academy buildings--the warships at anchor--the _tout ensemble!_ We may not find the treasure, but, at least, we've got a fine camp--though, I reckon, it is a bit breezy when the wind is from the Bay." "I wonder if we should have paid our respects to the Superintendent before poaching on his preserves?" said Macloud.