I didn't evolve my theory
until after I had fled. Naturally, I wasn't able to get back."
"But suppose somebody finds it?" Norine was aghast at the thought.
"Not much chance of that. The treasure has lain there for a
generation, and the story itself is almost forgotten." Esteban
turned triumphantly to O'Reilly, saying, "Now then, do you think
I'm so crazy?"
O'Reilly didn't have it in his heart to say exactly what he really
thought. The circumstances of the discovery of the coin were odd
enough, certainly, but it seemed to him that they were capable of
several explanations. If, indeed, there had ever been a doubloon
and if Esteban had found it in the dead hand of his stepmother,
that, in O'Reilly's opinion, by no means proved the existence of
the mythical Varona hoard, nor did it solve the secret of its
whereabouts. What he more than half suspected was that some
favored fancy had formed lodgment in Esteban's brain.
"It's an interesting theory," he admitted. "Anyhow, there is no
danger of the treasure being uncovered very soon. Cueto had a good
look and made himself ridiculous. You'll have ample chance to do
likewise when the war is over."
"You must help me find it," said Esteban. "We shall all share the
fortune equally, you two, Rosa and I."
"WE? Why should WE share in it?" Norine asked.
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