Cord and Creese | Page 5

been preserved ever since. A legend has grown
up, as a matter of course, that the treasure will be recovered one day
when the family is at its last extremity. It may not be impossible. The
writer intended that something should come of it.
"If in that other world to which I am going the disembodied spirit can
assist man, then be sure, O my son, I will assist you, and in the crisis of
your fate I will be near, if it is only to communicate to your spirit what
you ought to do.
"God bless you, dear boy, and farewell.
"Your affectionate father.

"RALPH BRANDON."
This letter was evidently written by fragmentary portions, as though it
had been done at intervals. Some parts were written leisurely--others
apparently in haste. The first half had been written evidently with the
greatest ease. The writing of the last half showed weakness and
tremulousness of hand; many words would have been quite illegible to
one not familiar with the handwriting of the old man. Sometimes the
word was written two or three times, and there were numerous blots
and unmeaning lines. It grew more and more illegible toward the close.
Evidently it was the work of one who was but ill able to exert even
sufficient strength to hold a pen in his trembling hand.
In this letter there was folded a large piece of coarse paper, evidently a
blank leaf torn from a book, brown with age, which was worn at the
folds, and protected there by pieces of cotton which had been pasted
upon it. The paper was covered with writing, in ink that was much
faded, though still quite legible.
Opening this Brandon read the following:
[Illustration: Facsimile of handwritten page reading:
"One league due northe of a smalle islet northe of the Islet of Santa
Cruz northe of San Salvador----I Ralphe Brandon in my shippe Phoenix
am becalmed and surrounded by a Spanish fleete----My shippe is filled
with spoyle the Plunder of III galleons----wealth which myghte
purchase a kyngdom-tresure equalle to an Empyr's revenue----Gold and
jeweles in countless store----and God forbydde that itt shall falle into
the hands of the Enemye----I therefore Ralphe Brandon out of mine
owne good wyl and intente and that of all my men sink this shippe
rather than be taken alyve----I send this by my trusty seaman Peter
Leggit who with IX others tolde off by lot will trye to escape in the
Boate by nighte----If this cometh haply into the hands of my sonne
Philip let him herebye knowe that in this place is all this
tresure----which haply may yet be gatherd from the sea----the Islet is
knowne by III rockes that be pushed up like III needles from the sande.

"Ralphe Brandon"]

CHAPTER II.
A LIFE TRAGEDY.
Not a word or a gesture escaped Brandon during the perusal, but after
he had finished he read the whole through twice, then laying it down,
he paced up and down the room. His olive skin had become of a sickly
tawny hue, his eyes glowed with intense lustre, and his brow was
covered with those gloomy Napoleonic clouds, but not a nerve was
shaken by the shock of this dread intelligence.
Evening came and night; and the night passed, and morning came, but
it found him still there pacing the room.
Earlier than usual next morning he was at the office, and waited for
some time before the senior partner made his appearance. When he
came in it was with a smile on his face, and a general air of
congratulation to all the world.
"Well, Brandon," said he, cordially, "that last shipment has turned out
finely. More than a thousand pounds. And it's all your doing. I objected,
but you were right. Let me congratulate you."
Something in Brandon's face seemed to surprise the old gentleman, and
he paused for a moment. "Why what's the matter, my boy?" he said, in
a paternal voice. "You have not heard any bad news, I hope, in that
letter--I hope it's nothing serious?"
Brandon gave a faint smile.
"Serious enough," said he, looking away with an abstracted gaze, "to
put a sudden end to my Australian career."
"Oh no--oh no!" said the other, earnestly; "not so bad as that."

"I must go home at once."
"Oh well, that may be, but you will be back again. Take a leave of
absence for five years if you wish, but don't quit for good. I'll do the
business and won't complain, my boy. I'll keep your place comfortable
for you till your return."
Brandon's stern face softened as he looked at the old man, whose
features were filled with the kindest expression, and whose tone
showed the affectionate interest which he felt.
"Your kindness to me, Mr. Compton," said