Chapter XXIV: The Story Is Told

A half hour later the boys found themselves seated upon cocoanut fiber mats drinking Haitian coffee, black and bitter, and listening to one of the strangest stories ever told.

"'The Rope of Gold'," the little doctor was saying, "was never in the Citadel. When the black Emperor Christophe found himself paralyzed beyond hope of recovery, and all but deserted by his people, he committed suicide. There were certain members of his household who remained loyal to him. Among these was the bearer of the telescope.

"Knowing the hiding place of the 'Rope of Gold' within the palace and fearing the destruction of the palace, he called to his aid a handful of his own hill people and carried it, not to the Citadel, but to--" he paused to look up at the ceiling, "to this place."

Instantly there came to Johnny's mind a picture of the golden green snake that hung from the cave's ceiling. This was not the room but for all that he seemed to see it dangling there. "That," he told himself, "is the 'Rope of Gold'."

As if to verify this conclusion, the doctor went on:

"For more than a century that 'Rope of Gold', with all its matchless workmanship in green, white and yellow gold, has hung within the shadows of this dingy cave.

"To-morrow, Providence permitting, it will again see the light of day."

His young companions leaned forward, eager for the rest of the story.

"When I heard of your search and its purpose," his voice went on quietly, "to benefit thousands of the simple and kindly peasants of Haiti, I thought once more of my duty regarding the 'Rope of Gold'. I had known of its whereabouts for many years, knew, too, that its secret was loyally kept.

"But now the only relative of the bearer of the Magic Telescope was passing. A few more months, weeks, perhaps days, and he would be gone. Who, then, would guard the secret?

"I decided that the time had come for putting the wealth represented by the heirloom of the past to work.

"I came to the dying man and put my plan before him. I told him of the work you boys and the old Professor were planning and of your search. 'Christophe,' I said to him, 'in his earlier days had the good of his people at heart. What could be more fitting than that the "Rope of Gold" be sold to some great museum where it will be faithfully preserved, and that the money thus obtained be spent in bettering Haitian people?'

"He was a very old man," the doctor sighed. "He was long in seeing the light. In fact, when I sent for you," he nodded toward Johnny, "he had not given his consent. When you went for the medicine he had not. That is why I did not wish to go.

"But to-night, with his dying breath, he gave his consent. His best friends, his henchmen, heard and are satisfied. And to-morrow we bear the 'Rope of Gold' once more into the light of day and on down to the valley which Christophe in his youth loved and to a service for the people whom he might have served better had not greed gripped at his heart."

The story was over. Yet, for some time the two boys sat there, motionless, silent. The whole affair was so strange, so gloriously wonderful that they could not make it seem true.

The doctor rose and went back into the darkness that was the cave. Still they sat there a long time in silence.

"To-morrow," said Johnny huskily.

"To-morrow," Curlie echoed.

"And to think," Curlie spoke once more, "he asked nothing for himself."

"He does not care for money. He told me all about that. His is a remarkable story. I'll tell you about him."

And there while the dancing flames cast grotesque shadows on the walls of the cave, Johnny told the doctor's story.

* * * * * * * *

In the meantime, far away in the heart of the jungle, Doris, Dot, and the Marine King had found shelter from the storm in a deserted cabin. For some time their attention was focussed upon the small but rich treasure Dot had brought from the ruins. After that their thoughts wandered elsewhere and they talked of many things; perhaps "of shoes-and-ships--and sealing wax,--of cabbages--and kings." At any rate the time passed quickly. The storm, though fierce in its intensity, was brief in duration. Midnight found them marching along single file over a narrow path that, lighted by the moon, revealed to all the beauty and the glory of a tropical land after a storm.

In due time they came within sight of the chateau. Standing there, white in the moonlight, it seemed a land of dreams.

"That," said the King admiringly, "is some barracks!"

"It's my home," was Dot's reply.

"Lucky girl!" The King's compliment was genuine.

"I AM lucky," said Dot in a voice that was deep with emotion. "I really don't need a thing. And just for that I am going to give my whole share of the jewels to a certain king I happen to know that he may build a school for some of his black subjects."

"That," said the King, bending low, "will be equal to a month's leave and passage home."