Inferno Read Online Free PDF Page B

it.
    If anything had fallen out, could it be on the tiny beach next to the remains? He clambered out and at random attacked the hard-packed silty sand and rock fragments.
    Half an hour’s solid work revealed nothing more than sand fleas, a pair of energetic little crabs and a rapidly filling hole.
    He straightened, glancing out into the brightness of the sea.
Maid
was there, dutifully ‘fishing’, while
Aileen
would be out of sight around the point expecting a signal. All aboard were waiting for his sudden cry of discovery.
    Wearily he went further down, nearer the water and began again. After twenty minutes he knew he was beaten. Neither in the wreck nor outside it was there the slightest sign of treasure. If there was any, it would take an army of diggers and even then …
    He paused to think. It was odd. Wrecks he’d seen, even old ones, had in them at least a few sad and poignant reminders of those who had lived and died in them. A barnacled pewter tankard, galley pots, a trinket, masses of rigging and blocks from the boatswain’s stores, fittings, bottles.
    Why had this ship been picked clean as a whistle?
    His brow furrowed as he pondered the mystery. Then the answer burst in with a finality that put paid to the whole venture. The conger eel!
    They were all nothing but a crowd o’ loobies. If the eelhad swallowed the coin, by definition it must have been under water! He smacked his forehead in realisation.
    Stepping back a pace or two from the wreck he sighted down it. Sure enough there was a slight but definite incline. Over the years the seas had surged into the cave and, bit by bit, washed all that was movable down into the ocean. In despair he went to the water’s edge and stared bitterly at the innocent waves. In the depths, within yards of where he stood, was their treasure – but as far out of reach as though it were on the moon.

Chapter 11

    â€˜C hair says brother Laurie shuts his trap an’ gets the ale. Meetin’ has a mort o’ thinking t’ do.’
    â€˜Aye! A right settler for them as don’t deserve it!’ spluttered Jeb. ‘Why, if we’d have—’
    â€˜For Chrissakes!’ roared Stirk. ‘Put a reef in y’r jawin’ tackle! ’Less anyone has somethin’ t’ offer, keep y’r gob shut!’
    It wasn’t meant to be like that, and the frustration was keenly felt by all of them. To know a fabulous treasure lay almost within arm’s reach was too much to bear.
    â€˜We throws out a grapnel an’ drags it up?’ McFadden offered.
    â€˜Don’t be a ninny, Laddie! They’re not in the chest any more – that’s how y’r conger got one. They’s scattered about over the bottom o’ the sea.’
    Jeb sullenly interjected. ‘Y’ told us once how in the Caribbee there’s natives as dive f ’r coins you throw in the sea. What’s wrong wi’ us—’
    â€˜â€™Cos we ain’t divers! Born to it, they is, like fish. And inthem seas it’s as clear as glass an’ they can see what they’re a-doing.’
    The shareholders of Dunlochry Treasure Company slumped back.
    Laurie came back with the ale. ‘Has ye done wi’ your havering?’
    Too depressed for words, Stirk only growled at the lad.
    â€˜Then why don’t ye ask Mr Paine? He’s a knowin’ gent, won’t mind helpin’ us out.’
    â€˜We can’t. ’Twould mean a-tellin’ him what we’re doin’, an’ he’s down on it.’ But as he spoke Stirk realised that Kydd wouldn’t turn them in: the worst that could happen would be a refusal to help.
    â€˜He’s at the hall, suppin’ whisky while the young lasses dance,’ confided Laurie.
    â€˜Go an’ ask him t’ step this way, it’s important. Mind ye say it politely, like.’
    Kydd soon arrived, a look of concern on his features. ‘Laurie