“Miss Virginia Harding has herself admitted that she has no just or equitable claim to participate in the profits of this expedition—­I believe I give the gist of your words, Miss Harding?”

“Have it your own way,” I said, shrugging.

“I move, then, Mr. Secretary”—­Miss Browne inclined her head in a stately manner toward Mr. Tubbs—­“that you offer for Miss Virginia Harding’s signature the document prepared by you.”

“Oh, I say!” broke out Mr. Vane suddenly, “I call this rotten, you know!”

“In case of objection by any person,” said Miss Browne loftily, “the matter may be put to a vote.  All those in favor say aye!”

An irregular fire of ayes followed.  Mr. Tubbs gave his with a cough meant so far as possible to neutralize its effect—­with a view to some future turning of the tables.  Captain Magnus responded with a sudden bellow, which caused him to drop the gleaming knife within an inch of Aunt Jane’s toe.  Mr. Shaw said briefly, “I think the distribution of the treasure, if any is recovered, should be that agreed upon by the original members of the party.  Aye!”

Aunt Jane’s assenting voice issued from the depths of her handkerchief, which was rapidly becoming so briny and inadequate that I passed her mine.  From Cuthbert Vane alone there came a steadfast no—­and the Scotchman put a hand on the boy’s shoulder with a smile which was like sudden sunlight in a bleak sky.

Mr. Tubbs then produced a legal-looking document which I took to be the original agreement of the members of the expedition.  Beneath their signatures he had inscribed a sort of codicil, by which I relinquished all claim on any treasure recovered by the party.  Mr. Tubbs took evident pride in the numerous aforesaids and thereofs and other rolling legal phrases of his composition, and Miss Browne listened with satisfaction as he read it off, as though each word had been a nail in the coffin of my hopes.  I signed the clause in a bold and defiant hand, under the attentive eyes of the company.  A sort of sigh went round, as though something of vast moment had been concluded.  And indeed it had, for now the way was clear for Violet’s map.

I suppose that with a due regard for my dignity I should have risen and departed.  I had been so definitely relegated to the position of outsider that to remain to witness the unveiling of the great mystery seemed indecently intrusive.  Let it be granted, then, that I ought to have got up with stately grace and gone away.  Only, I did nothing of the sort.  In spite of my exclusion from all its material benefits, I had an amateur’s appreciation of that map.  I felt that I should gloat over it.  Perhaps of all those present I alone, free from sordid hopes, would get the true romantic zest and essence of it—­

Covertly I watched the faces around me.  Mr. Tubbs’s eyes had grown bright; he licked his dry lips.  His nose, tip-tilted and slightly bulbous, took on a more than usually roseate hue.  Captain Magnus, who was of a restless and jerky habit at the best of times, was like a leashed animal scenting blood.  Beneath his open shirt you saw the quick rise and fall of his hairy chest.  His lips, drawn back wolfishly, displayed yellow, fang-like teeth.  Under the raw crude greed of the man you seemed to glimpse something indescribably vulpine and ferocious.