“They do not seem to have given a thought to silver,” replied Mills’s companion.
“You must remember that the Dutch element prevails in this valley, and if a Dutchman started in for extracting lead, he would consider all else in his mine ‘gangue.’ Intentness of purpose is their national characteristic.”
But they must be off before daylight. The fragments of the broken chest were gathered together and the marauders crept stealthily out of the cave, dropping the broken chest into a deep hole.
Their horses were impatiently gnawing the saplings to which they had been tied near the base of the mountain, and mounting, they rode towards Kerhonkson and thence to Kingston.
What to do with the jewels, now that they had them, was a question. Mills was known to be a man in moderate circumstances, and these jewels were priceless diamonds, rubies and many semi-precious stones, fit ransom for an emperor. They dare not exhibit them nor dispose of them, so they must be placed in some safe deposit and that at once.
Arriving at Kingston, they were shown into a room in a hotel in which the attentive servant kindled a fire in the wood stove as the air was chilly. After dinner they sat hugging the stove and talking in low tones. The mine must be secured, and that as soon as possible, and it was decided that Mills should begin negotiations with Mr. De Vere at once and secure a clear title for the mine on his place, and Mills’s partner should bend his energies toward obtaining Old Ulster.
“What shall we do with this old document?” Mills inquired, producing the one found in the cave.
“Destroy it,” said the other. “No one can read it, and anyway, all we want to know is clear.”
Mills reflected, but ended in agreeing that it would only be a source of anxiety if preserved and, opening the stove door, it, with some old letters, was consigned to the flames and the blaze which followed assured them that at least one witness against them had been disposed of.
Nothing now remained for them to do but to go on to New York City, complete arrangements and deposit the gold and jewels in a place of safety.