CHAPTER XXX

THE RADIUM TREASURE--CONCLUSION

“Bless my soul!” exclaimed Professor Snodgrass.

Bob, with a catching of his breath, and a nervous tremor, started to run in a panic. But Jerry caught him by the shoulder.

“Hold on!” the tall lad cried. “It’s only a man.”

“A--a man!” gasped the fat lad. “I thought----”

“Stop thinking!” commanded Jerry.

The man in the cave advanced, and the boys and the professor saw that he carried a torch made from some resinous wood that burned with much smoke.

“Who are you?” again demanded the man, holding his torch on high. “Who comes here to disturb me? Why can’t you let me die in peace?”

The professor took a sudden resolve. Afterward he said he did not know why he did it.

“Hartley Bentwell!” cried the scientist, “we have come to save you. You are not going to die. We have come to take you away from Snake Island!”

The effect of these words on the unfortunate man was indescribable. He fairly leaped forward, and a cry came from his lips.

“You know me!” he exclaimed. “You have come to save me? Oh, the dear Lord be thanked! Yes, I am Hartley Bentwell, but in a few days more I would not have known myself. I--I fear I was going mad. It was almost the end. Oh, what a life I have lived on this island! Unable to escape! Menaced by the snakes! Not a soul to speak to! In fear of the floods! Oh, even now, my mind is not right!”

“There, there!” exclaimed the professor soothingly, as he would have talked to a child. “You are with friends. You will soon be away from here, and in your own home. We are going to restore you to the world again. You have seen the last of Snake Island.”

“The last of Snake Island! Oh----” but the unfortunate castaway could say no more, for he had fainted, and would have fallen, had not Jerry and Ned caught him.

“Quick! Carry him to the _Comet_,” directed the professor. “When he comes to, he must find himself in brighter surroundings.”

This was quickly done, and, as the rain soon stopped, and the sun came out, when Mr. Bentwell became conscious, he found himself in a pleasant cabin, surrounded by his new friends. A look of wonder came over his face, and the wild, half-insane stare faded from his eyes.

“Here, drink this,” commanded Uriah Snodgrass, and he held out a bowl of nourishing soup.

And, following a refreshing sleep, that afternoon, while seated in the airship cabin, Mr. Bentwell told his story. He had been with the scientists who, about a year before, had come to search for the radium on Snake Island. There had been an accident, one boat was wrecked, and the unfortunate man was cast alone on the island. His companions escaped, and got back to civilization, believing him drowned.

The cargo of the boat, consisting of a considerable quantity of provisions, stores and tools, was washed up on the island.

He built the hut, and rudely furnished it. Then, having nothing else to do, being unable to escape from the island, he began a search for the radium, as told in his torn notebook. But he could not find it.

Then floods came, there were several visitations of snakes, and, in terror, he fled to the hill, where he found the cave that he made his home, only going occasionally to the hut. He had been away from it for several days when Noddy and his companions took up their abode there. So despondent and gloomy was Mr. Bentwell over his plight that he withdrew to the cave altogether, and stayed there, living on scanty food. He did not come out, and so did not see the airship making trips over the island.

“But now I am saved!” he cried. “Let us get away from this awful place!”

“I am willing,” agreed the professor. “I have my valuable toad.”

“But we haven’t the radium,” said Jerry.

“I do not believe it is here,” said Mr. Bentwell. “I searched all over for it, and found not a trace.”

“Yes, we saw your notes,” spoke the professor. “I saved what were left of them for you.”

The weather soon became pleasant again, and the river went down. But the boys in their airship remained on the hill, as they liked it better there. Jerry asked for three days more in which to search for the radium treasure, and the others agreed to this.

“Well, I give up,” admitted Jerry, on the afternoon of the third day, when, after a wearying search, he and his two chums were returning to the _Comet_. “We’ll start for home to-morrow morning. Mr. Bentwell is well enough to travel now.”

“I sort of hate to go back empty handed,” spoke Ned regretfully. “It’s the first time we ever had a real failure.”

“We can’t always be successful,” commented Bob. “Whew! I’m tired. I’m going to have a rest.”

He sat down on a grassy spot. Just below them was the _Comet_, which had been fully repaired, and was all ready for the homeward trip. Ned and Jerry walked on a little way, and then took a seat on a log, for they, too, were weary. They talked over their adventures, agreeing that, even though they had not found the radium treasure, they had had a good vacation.

Bob suddenly jumped up, and rubbed his thigh.

“What’s the matter; sit on a thorn?” asked Ned with a laugh.

“Something like that,” answered the stout lad. “Or else a bee stung me. Well, come on. It’s all over.”

They were packing up that night, ready for the trip home in the morning, when Bob complained of a burning sensation in his leg.

“Better let me look at it,” suggested the professor, who knew something of medicine. “You may have been poisoned by some insect.” But, when he had looked at a peculiar red spot on Bob’s leg he cried out:

“Boys, that’s the most wonderful thing I ever heard of! Bob has solved the riddle for us!”

“What riddle?” demanded Jerry eagerly.

“The radium riddle! That’s a blister caused by emanations from radium!” went on the professor. “Look at it, Mr. Bentwell, and see if you don’t think so!”

The castaway, who had had his hair cut, and who had shaved himself, being attired in a spare suit of the professor’s, looked at the red spot.

“That is undoubtedly a radium burn,” he said quickly. “How did it happen?”

“It must have been when I sat down to rest,” explained Bob. “On the hill out there. I felt something sting me, and----”

“It was the radium!” cried Mr. Bentwell. “Where is the place? Let us go to it at once!”

“We can’t find it in the dark,” objected Jerry, but the professor and the castaway hurried out on the deck of the airship leading Bob with them.

“Point out, as nearly as you can, where it was,” begged Uriah Snodgrass.

Bob raised his hand, and, as he did so, he uttered a cry.

“Look! Look!” he gasped. “The ghosts! The ghosts again!”

There, floating down toward the airship, were tall whitish objects, wrapped in a bluish haze, like the tall forms of willowy beings shrouded in mist.

“The ghosts!” cried Bob.

“Yes, radium ghosts!” fairly shouted Professor Snodgrass. “I understand it now. I wonder I didn’t guess it the first time. The ghosts we saw before were vapors, caused by radium. It is the same now. Boys, we have at last found the radium treasure! We will get it in the morning!”

They were up at dawn, after an almost sleepless night. Bob pointed out the spot where he had rested, and digging there, under a thin layer of sod, was found the peculiar hornblende rock mixed with pitchblende, which contained the radium. It needed but a simple test to demonstrate this.

“And the peculiar thing about it is this,” said Professor Snodgrass. “Usually it takes tons of rock to produce even a grain of radium, but in this case there is almost pure radium in this sample. We must be careful of it, for, not only is it very valuable, but it may seriously harm us if left exposed.”

Accordingly the first sample was put in the lead receptacle prepared for it, and the work of digging the rock for more was begun.

But if our friends hoped to find an enormous fortune of radium on Snake Island they were disappointed. For, after they had dug a little distance down, the rock disappeared, and there was no more of it. Search as they did, there was only a comparatively small quantity. But that was of great value, sufficient to more than compensate them for the trip, for the radium, being almost pure, commanded an exceptionally high price.

“But there must be some where we first saw the strange ghosts,” suggested Bob. They went to the place, but found nothing. As there was a deep hollow, where before there had been none, they concluded that the flood had washed the precious radium away.

“But we have enough to satisfy almost anyone,” said Jerry, one evening a few nights later.

In the days following Bob’s unexpected discovery of the precious stuff they had searched diligently, but no more was located.

“I think we have all there is here,” was the professor’s opinion, and Mr. Bentwell agreed with him. There was no longer any use in remaining in that desolate place, and so they arose, and left behind Snake Island, and the rushing river cutting its way through the mighty chasm, a mile below the surface of the earth.

Then, with her nose pointed toward Denver, the return trip began. Little worth mentioning occurred on it. Mr. Bentwell continued to improve and after a short stay in Denver, at the Montrose home, nearly all traces of his terrible year on the lonely island disappeared. Of course the story of the boys caused much comment, and they were regarded as heroes.

They received many offers for their radium, but they refused nearly all of them, giving a share of the stuff to Mr. Bentwell, some to Professor Snodgrass, and a portion to Mr. Montrose. The latter was interested in a Denver hospital that very much wanted some of the precious metal for medical purposes.

As for their portions the boys kept some for themselves for future use, and some they gave to the academy they attended. The rest they sold for a large sum.

Nothing more was heard from Noddy Nixon, save that he and Bill got safely home, after much hardship. As for the renegade professor he and Noddy quarreled, and separated.

“Let’s go all the way home by airship,” proposed Bob as they were about to leave Denver. “We can have the auto shipped to Cresville, and it’s much easier to get meals in the _Comet_ than at hotels.”

“Bob, if you mention eating again, until we get home, we’ll put you on a bread and water diet,” threatened Ned, and Bob went off to the galley in a huff. But he was soon heard whistling as he made himself some sandwiches.

The airship trip was voted the best, and accordingly, it was undertaken. All went well, and in due time they were near their home town. At his request, Mr. Bentwell was allowed to leave the ship at a place where he could get a train to his home, for he did not want to take his new friends out of their way. He had telegraphed, at the first opportunity, to his relatives, telling them of his rescue. To say that they, and the world at large, were surprised by his wonderful story, is putting it mildly.

“Well, we got the radium treasure, after all,” remarked Jerry, one day a week or so later, when they were all assembled at his house.

“And I caught the two-tailed toad,” added the professor. “My college has conferred additional honors upon me for that. I am indeed a lucky individual.”

“I wonder what you’ll look for next?” spoke Bob.

“And I wonder what we’ll do?” added Ned.

Those of you who care to know, may learn by reading the next volume of the series, which will be called “The Motor Boys on the Border; Or, Sixty Nuggets of Gold,” a strange tale of the Far West and of Canada.

“Well,” remarked the professor, “I think I will----” He stopped suddenly, sprang to a small table, and clapped his hand down on it so suddenly that he upset a pitcher of lemonade, which spilled all over Bob.

“Ouch! Ugh!” gasped the fat lad. “What’s the matter?”

“I just caught a most rare specimen of a red-winged fly,” answered the professor, pulling out a specimen box and imprisoning the luckless insect.

“But--l-l-look at me!” gasped Bob. “I’m all wet!”

“Never mind, it’s a hot day, and you aren’t the only lemon in the house,” laughed Jerry, as he helped his chum dry himself.

Of course Professor Snodgrass apologized, and made amends by helping squeeze more lemons. And then, sitting about, he and the boys discussed their adventures on the trip after the radium treasure. And now, for a time, we will say good-bye to them.

THE END

A New Line By the Author of the Ever-Popular

“Motor Boys Series”

The Racer Boys Series

by CLARENCE YOUNG

Author of “The Motor Boys Series”, “Jack Ranger Series”, etc. etc.

Fine cloth binding. Illustrated. Price per vol. 60 cts. postpaid.

The announcement of a new series of stories by Mr. Clarence Young is always hailed with delight by boys and girls throughout the country, and we predict an even greater success for these new books, than that now enjoyed by the “Motor Boys”. The stories are in Mr. Young’s best vein, full of vim and vigor from start to finish, and of a high moral order. They are in the same style that has made “The Motor Boys Series” the most popular young people’s line on the market.

The Racer Boys or The Mystery of the Wreck

This, the first volume of the new series, tells who the Racer Boys were and how they chanced to be out on the ocean in a great storm. They rescue another boy in a wrecked motor-boat and take him to their home only to discover later that the stranger has lost his mind and cannot remember who he is or where he comes from. Adventures follow each other in rapid succession, and the Racer Boys finally solve the mystery in a manner that only our author, Mr. Young, can describe.

The Racer Boys At Boarding School or Striving for the Championship

When the Racer Boys arrived at the school they found everything at a stand-still. The school was going down rapidly and the students lacked ambition and leadership. They lacked even the heart to take part in any athletic contests. The Racers took hold with a will, and got their father to aid the head of the school financially, and then reorganized the football team. Much to the astonishment of everybody, the school won the championship of the league.

The Racer Boys To The Rescue or Stirring Days in a Winter Camp

Here is a story filled with the spirit of good times in winter--skating, ice-boating and hunting. How the lads went out after big game, how they stumbled upon a queer trail and made a great discovery, and how they came to the rescue of a crippled boy who was virtually held a prisoner in a wilderness cabin, are related in a manner to chain the attention of the reader from beginning to end.

Other Volumes to Follow

CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers NEW YORK

The Webster Series

By Frank V. Webster

Mr. Webster’s style is very much like that of the boys’ favorite author, the late lamented Horatio Alger Jr., but his tales are thoroughly up-to-date. The stories are as clean as they are clever, and will prove of absorbing interest to boys everywhere.

Cloth. 12mo. Over 200 pages each. Illustrated. Stamped in various colors. Price per volume, 40 cents, postpaid.

Only A Farm Boy or Dan Hardy’s Rise in Life

Tom The Telephone Boy or The Mystery of a Message

The Boy From The Ranch or Roy Bradner’s City Experiences

The Young Treasure Hunter or Fred Stanley’s Trip to Alaska

Bob The Castaway or The Wreck of the Eagle

The Newsboy Partners or Who Was Dick Box?

Two Boy Gold Miners or Lost in the Mountains

The Young Firemen of Lakeville or Herbert Dare’s Pluck

The Boy Pilot of the Lakes or Nat Morton’s Perils

The Boys of Bellwood School or Frank Jordan’s Triumph

Jack The Runaway or On the Road with a Circus

Bob Chester’s Grit or From Ranch to Riches

Airship Andy or The Luck of a Brave Boy

The High School Rivals or Fred Markham’s Struggles

Darry The Life Saver or The Heroes of the Coast

Dick The Bank Boy or A Missing Fortune

Ben Hardy’s Flying Machine or Making a Record for Himself

Harry Watson’s High School Days or The Rivals of Rivertown

Comrades of the Saddle or The Young Rough Riders of the Plains

The Boys of the Wireless or a Stirring Rescue from the Deep

CUPPLES & LEON CO., Publishers, NEW YORK

Transcriber’s Notes:

--Text in italics is enclosed by underscores (_italics_); text in bold by “equal” signs (=bold=).

--Printer, punctuation and spelling inaccuracies were silently corrected, except as noted below.

--Archaic and variable spelling is preserved.

--Variations in hyphenation and compound words have been preserved.

--Variant spellings of Pittsburg for Pittsburgh (PA.) and Allegany for Allegeny (River) have been retained as these have been used consistently throughout the book.

End of Project Gutenberg's The Motor Boys After a Fortune, by Clarence Young