But slowly indeed to-day does James Malone walk towards the cliff. Out through the inner, out through the great outer gate; for he will not feel comfortable until he is clear of the encampment, and seated near to the very brink of that great wall of rocks.
“Gentlemen,” he said, when at last he had filled and lit his pipe with all the coolness of a North American Indian—“gentlemen, hitherto all our efforts to find the gold mine have been in vain, but mere chance has revealed to us the secret that has been hidden from us so long—”
“James,” said Tandy, excitedly, “you don’t mean to say—”
“But,” interrupted James, “I do mean to say it, Tandy. Halcott there knows that I seldom make an assertion till I have well-considered the matter on all sides.”
“You never do, brother.”
“That cave, gentlemen, which in so strange a way the children have found, is a gold mine—the gold mine!
“The land entrance I can now remember, although it is somewhat changed. Show me the map of the island, brother.”
Halcott spread it out before him.
He pointed out Fire Hill, then drew his finger along until it rested on the spot where the cave was.
“The fault has been all mine, gentlemen; I alone led you astray, for appearances deceived me. But it is not yet too late.