Regan retained the card a moment. “Why go fishing? After all, it’s only recreation. Here’s a full-size man’s recreation. It’s about old Morgan’s treasure. Look, your father always was always proud of that old family pirate.”
“I was told about his treasure. Look, here is the map.”
Francis looked up questioningly from the reading of the card.
“Senor Torres,” Regan explained. “Gave me the map. Here is the treasure buried. Of course, I don’t believe a word of it. But… You know, Sir Henry died practically a poor man, and they never did find any of his buried treasure. Oh, I wish I were younger!… Anyway, good fishing,” Regan girded edly.
“I’d like to meet this Alvarez Torres,” the young man responded. “Do you know where I can find him?”
The next morning the meeting took place in Regan’s office. Modern maps and ancient charts were studies, as well as old documents, and at the end of half an hour Francis announced that his next fishing would be on the Bull Island,[16] where – as Torres averred – the treasure lay.
“I’ll catch tonight’s train for New Orleans,” Francis announced. “And then I’ll go to Colon![17]”
“But don’t charter a schooner[18] at Colon,” Torres advised. “It’s better in Belen.[19]”
“I always wanted to see that country down there!” Francis said. “And you, Senor Torres?”
“I shall join you later, Mr. Morgan.” Alvarez Torres said. “I have some little business here.”
“And, before you start,” Regan noticed, “it might be well to arrange with Senor Torres some division of the treasure… if you ever find it.”
“What would you say?” Francis asked.
“Equal division, fifty-fifty,” Regan answered, he was talking of something he was certain did not exist.
“Fine!” Francis cried. “And I’ve got to rush to pack and break engagements and catch the train. Good-bye, Regan. Good-bye, Senor Torres, until we meet somewhere around Bocas del Toro, or in on the Bull!”
And Senor Alvarez Torres remained with Regan some time longer, receiving explicit instructions.
“In short,” Regan concluded, “I don’t almost care if he never comes back if you can keep him down there for the good of his health that long and longer.”