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"Certainly not But come, what about Esteban and that doubloon?"

With an effort the girl brought herself back to earth "Well, it occurred to ht, that Esteban ht Of course nobody outside of our family credits the old story, and yet my father was considered a very rich man at one time Pancho Cueto believed in the existence of the treasure, and he was in a position to know"

"True! Perhaps, after all--" O'Reilly frowned meditatively

Rosa lifted herself upon her elbow, her eyes sparkling "Wouldn't it be wonderful if it were true? Just think, O'Reilly, cases of Spanish gold, silver coins in casks, packages of geh!"

"Don't forget those pearls froe as plums," Johnny smiled "I could never quite s that A pearl the size of a currant would buy our freedoht now" After a moment he went on, more seriously: "I've a notion to look into that old well this very afternoon I--I dare say I'm foolish, but--somehow the story doesn't sound so i--" He made up his mind swiftly "I--I'ed frorindstone which he had somewhere unearthed The boy looked up at his friend's approach and held out for inspection a long, thin file, which he was slowly shaping into a knife-blade

"What do you think of that?" he queried, proudly "It may come in handy e are ready to clear out of this pesthole"

"Where did you get it?"

"Oh, I stole it I steal everything I can lay my hands on nowadays One can never tell when he ood steel in it"

"Since you are such an acco for me?" O'Reilly inquired "A piece of rope?"

"Rope?" Jacket was puzzled "Rope is only good for hanging Spaniards My friend in the fish-market has a volandra, and-- perhaps I can rob hi aside his task, Jacket arose and made off in the direction of the water-front He was back within an hour, and under his shirt he carried a coil of worn, but serviceable, rope Without waiting to explain his need for this unusual article, O'Reilly linked arms with the boy and set out to climb La Cumbre When at last they stood in the unused quarry and Johnnie arded hiuised amazement