"Two hundred and eighty-two feet to here," he said, "and Parmenter buried the treasure at three hundred and thirty feet--therefore, it's forty-eight feet out in the Bay."
"Then your supposition is that, since Parmenter's time, the Bay has not only encroached on the Point, but also has eaten in on the sides."
"It's hard to dig in water," Macloud remarked. "It's apt to fill in the hole, you know."
"Don't be sarcastic," Croyden retorted. "I'm not responsible for the Bay, nor the Point, nor Parmenter, nor anything else connected with the fool quest, please remember."
"Except the present measurements and the theory on which they're based," Macloud replied. "And as the former seem to be accurate, and the latter more than reasonable, we'd best act on them."
"At least, I am satisfied that the treasure lies either in the Bay, or close on shore; if so, we have relieved ourselves from digging up the entire Point."
"You have given us a mighty plausible start," said Macloud.
"Land or water?" Croyden laughed. "Hello, whom have we here?" as a buggy emerged from among the timber, circled around, and halted before the tents.
"It is Hook-nose back again," said Macloud. "Come to pay a social call, I suppose! Anything about for them to steal?"
"They're safe--I put them under the blankets."
"Come to treat with us--to share the treasure."
"Hum! they've got their nerve!" exclaimed Croyden.
By this time, they had been observed by the men in the buggy who, immediately, came toward them.
"Let us get away from this place!" said Croyden, and they sauntered along landward.
"And make them stop us--don't give the least indication that we know them," added Macloud.
As the buggy neared, Macloud and Croyden glanced carelessly at the occupants, and were about to pass on, when Hook-nose calmly drew the horse over in front of them.
"Which of you men is named Croyden?" he asked.
"Well, you're the man we're lookin' for. Geoffrey is the rest of your handle, isn't it?"
"You have the advantage of me," Croyden assured him.
"Yes, I think I have, in more ways than your name. Where can we have a little private talk?"
"We can't!" said Croyden, stepping quickly around the horse and continuing on his way--Macloud and Axtell following.