cavern, hewn out of the solid rock, as was the greater cavern. From a brazier she took a pine splinter, lighted it, and beckoned Pearse into the cave. And as soon as his eyes adjusted themselves to the gloom, he saw the place stowed tightly from floor to ceiling with kegs and half-casks, hooped and marked with black characters.

“Gold?” he gasped, perspiration starting to his brows.

“Gold!” Her rejoinder was tense, almost savage; she glared at him from under the torch, a quivering shape of disgust.

“Why, Dolores, don’t look like that,” he laughed. “I did but wonder. If this were all gold, it could not enhance your worth in my eyes.”

“Then the proof will be easy.