Bert uttered an ejaculation of astonishment, and came down the steps in two jumps. All he could see when he entered was the white coat Don wore, but he recognised the voice as he had recognised the whistle. “Cut the rope first,” exclaimed Don, “and afterward ask as many questions as you please.” “The rope?” repeated Bert. “Yes. Come nearer and you will see that I am wrapped up in a plough-line.” Bert was profoundly astonished, but he wisely refrained from making any inquiries. His knife was out in an instant, and a few passes with the blade liberated Don, who made a feeble attempt to walk and fell forward into his brother’s arms. “Don’t be uneasy,” said Don, who knew by the exclamation his brother uttered that he was greatly alarmed. “I’m all right, only I feel as if I had the rheumatism. I’ve been tied up there ever since nine o’clock last night.” “Why, Don!” cried Bert. “Who put you there?” “If I tell you, will you promise not to say a word about it?” “No, I won’t,” replied Bert, quickly. “No one shall treat you so and then go off scot-free if I can--Why, Don, what in the world--I mean how----” Bert had by this time assisted his brother to the door where he had a fair view of him. “You mean that if I am your brother, I have changed into a black man during the last few hours, don’t you?” said Don, laughing heartily at the expression of astonishment on Bert’s face. “In me you behold--by the way, you don’t remember old Jordan, do you?” “No, I do not.” “Well, I am he; the identical old nigger!” “Don,” said Bert, reproachfully, “you didn’t----” “Yes, I did,” replied Don, as he sat down on the lowest step and stretched his arms and legs. “I am the one who cut up all those shines at the barn, and made the hands think old Jordan had risen from the dead. I am sorry now, but the temptation was so strong I couldn’t resist it. But didn’t I scare everybody, though?” “But, Don,” said Bert, who could not understand the matter at all, “how came----” “I know what you want to find out,” said his brother, “and ‘thereby hangs a tale’--a long one, too. I’ll tell it while I am resting.” With this introduction Don began and told a story that made Bert open his eyes wider than ever. He related as much of the history of the buried treasure as he had been able to learn, told how he had first found out about it, and gave a glowing description of the plans he had formed to frighten the two conspirators, as he called them. He described minutely all the incidents connected with his capture and confinement in the cellar, and when he told of the coolness and determination with which Clarence had conducted the whole proceeding, Bert’s astonishment was almost unbounded.