Mr. Donovan caressed his beer-glass and reflected. The two were seated
in the office of Swan's Hotel. "Well, I took them bricks out an' it
seems that loony ol' Frenchman our grandpas use to blow about had hid a
box in th' chimbley."

"A box in the chimbley. An' what was in the box?"

Mr. Donovan considered again. "I'll tell you the truth, Cap'n. It wus
a lot of rigermarole about a treasure. I wanted t' laugh. Your
commodore's a hoodoo on pirates an' treasures, an' he ain't found
either yet."

"No jokin'; keep a clear course."

"No harm. Th' admiral's all right, and don't you forget it. As I wus
sayin', they finds this 'ere box. The dockeyments wus in French, but
th' daughter read 'em off sumpin wonderful. You've heard of Napoleon?"

"Yes; I recollects the name," replied the captain, with quiet ridicule.

"Well, this business pertained t' him. Seems some o' his friends got
money t'gether t' rescue him from some island or other."

"St. Helena."

"That wus it. They left the cash in a box in Corsiker, 'nother island;
I-talyan, I take it. But I'll bet a dollar you never find anythin'
there."

"That is as may be." The captain liberated a full sigh and dug a hand