“I was thinking that those pieces will tell tales,” he said. “If any one comes up here, they will see we have been at work.”
“Yes, herr, if any one comes by; but nobody is likely to come here.”
“I suppose not,” said Dale thoughtfully, after a look round.
“The herr forgets that we are now in the wildest part of this the most desolate of our cantons.”
“Yes, I had forgotten,” said Dale lightly. “No one is likely to come, unless it be one of your kobolds, Melchior.”
“They will not come, herr, or they would have been here to protect their treasures,” replied the guide, laughing, as he stooped and lifted the big crystal on to his shoulder; then took it off, and asked Saxe to place the coil of rope under it. “The stone is heavy,” he said cheerfully. “Yes, that’s it: now it will ride easily. I think, herr, if you take my ice-axe and give me another under this arm to balance it, I can get on well.”
“But you are too heavily laden now, Melchior.”
“Oh no, herr: I am a strong man. Give me the other.”
It was handed to him.
“Now, can you carry the other three?”