“Then where shall we find ourselves? Africa? America? Asia?”
“Well, we shall not be penniless when we do get to the world again,” and Alan pointed at the wealth of jewels at their feet.
“It is those that make me feel we shall never get out,” said Desmond despondently.
“Why?”
“Because it is only in books of romance that such an adventure as ours would culminate successfully, and it would only be in a Romance of Romances that adventurers would come back from the very centre of the earth, laden with such untold wealth!”
“Don’t be so depressing, Dez,” laughed Alan.
“But it’s true, Lanny. With wealth like this in our hands we could command the trades of the entire world. Why, with this we could corner wheat—corner cotton—corner millionaires themselves—if we were permitted to use it.”
“Why permitted?”
“Well, it depends on the government of the country we eventually land in; they will want their share. If it’s France we may get one half—if it’s Spain perhaps an eighth—Russia?—well, nothing at all and the salt mines into the bargain.”
“You are very cheerful,” laughed Alan, “but as a matter of fact, I’ve been planning what I mean to do with my share if we do get out.”