The Secret of Pirates' Hill (16 page)

“Who was hiding under the tarpaulin in the boat when Halpen warned us away from the sting ray?” Frank asked.

“I was,” Guinness replied. “Latsky had hired me to dive for the sunken treasure ship. When you showed up one morning, I thought you were hunting, too. So I shot a couple of spears at you to scare you off.”

Joe whistled. “When I saw that first spear coming, I had no idea that Frank and I would be involved in an undersea treasure hunt!”

When the questioning ended, the prisoners were led away and the others left. Mr. Hardy invited Gorman to stay at their home until he had recovered completely.

“And please forgive Joe and me for suspecting you,” Frank said.

“I will on one condition,” Gorman replied with a grin. “That you show me where that treasure is and let me share with you whatever the government will let us have.”

The Hardys laughed and Joe said, “That won't be hard to take!”

“But first,” said Frank, “from whatever we get, I suggest that we buy Tony a new and even better
Napoli.”

The others quickly agreed, then Joe said, “I guess this treasure hunt will be the most exciting adventure we've ever had.”

But another was soon to come their way, which was to become known as
The Ghost at Skeleton Rock.

Two days later the whole group, in skin-diving outfits, climbed over the side of the
Sleuth
and descended to a depth of thirty feet at the same spot they had been fired on by Bowden. There lay the ancient merchantman, its timbers rotted away, and moss and barnacles covering the metal parts.

Cautiously Gorman and the boys swam in and out, removing the debris. At last their search was rewarded. There, in the uncovered hold of the old vessel, lay a vast quantity of gold bullion. Through their masks, the divers beamed at one another triumphantly.

The Hardys and their friends had found the ancient treasure!