“It brought us luck sure enough,” Bobby thought to himself, “and I’d like to keep it all my life.” Aloud he said: “You want to sell?”
Mooloo’s eyes glistened.
“Mebbe,” he said. “How much?”
Bobby took out three gold pieces.
“More,” said Mooloo.
Bobby made it five.
“More,” said Mooloo.
Bobby shook his head and was about to put the money back in his pocket, but Mooloo grabbed his arm.
“All right,” he said, and the token changed hands.
The first stage of their journey had been accomplished and they had avoided the greatest peril—that of Mooloo’s avarice. They had the books containing the treasure tucked away under a pile of furs in Kapje’s dwelling where they had received only a passing glance and provoked no inquiry.