I don't wish to
be theatrical. It is all patent and above-board. Two officers
who are in command of a convict-guard learn an important secret
as to buried treasure. A map is drawn for them by an Englishman
named Jonathan Small. You remember that we saw the name upon the
chart in Captain Morstan's possession. He had signed it in
behalf of himself and his associates,--the sign of the four, as
he somewhat dramatically called it. Aided by this chart, the
officers--or one of them--gets the treasure and brings it to
England, leaving, we will suppose, some condition under which he
received it unfulfilled. Now, then, why did not Jonathan Small
get the treasure himself? The answer is obvious. The chart is
dated at a time when Morstan was brought into close association
with convicts. Jonathan Small did not get the treasure because
he and his associates were themselves convicts and could not get
away."
"But that is mere speculation," said I.
"It is more than that. It is the only hypothesis which covers
the facts. Let us see how it fits in with the sequel. Major
Sholto remains at peace for some years, happy in the possession
of his treasure. Then he receives a letter from India which
gives him a great fright.
Pages:
79
80
81
82
83
84
85
86
87
88
89
90
91
92
93
94
95
96
97
98
99
100
101
102
103