"We are ten strong, and we order you to go back to your ship at once." "The owners of this isle ?" "Yes." "I don't believe it." "You can do as you please about that.

But if you come a yard further we'll fire at you." "Humph! Then you are armed ?" "We are and we know how to shoot, too." "What brought you here at such a time as this ?" "We have a special reason for being here, as you may learn by to morrow." "Do you know anything of a treasure on this island ?" went on Sid Merrick curiously.
"We know something of it, yes.

It belongs to the Stanhope estate, provided it can be found." "It doesn't belong to the Stanhopes at all--it belongs to me," cried Merrick.
"In a day or two the Stanhopes are coming here to take possession," went on Dick.

"They will bring with them a number of their friends and uncover the treasure, which is now hidden in a secret place.

As I and my brothers and cousins own this isle we are to have our share of what is uncovered.