American academic Clive Stone is conducting research on pirate lore for a book. Part of that lore includes pirate Captain Flint of "Treasure Island" fame having hidden some piratical treasure on the island over two hundred years ago. As such, Clive writes to Jamesina 'Jamie' Hawkins, a direct descendant of Jim Hawkins (after who she was named) and the current proprietor of the Admiral Ben Bow Inn, to inquire about some of her possessions, namely a map and a bible, which he believes are clues to the hidden treasure, which she in turn believes is only lore and doesn't exist. Over a year after that inquiry, Stone visits Jamie coincidentally on the day that thieves try to steal the map, which Jamie proudly displays in the Inn. Stone requests to borrow the map, to which Jamie agrees - only if she goes along with him to Treasure Island - based on an incident that happens that day after the theft attempt.
