"Just so, señora, just so. Does anyone else know of this room?"
"Quite likely no one. Even Colonel Barcelo does not, his own house as it is."
"But these maps! Do you not think it singular that the owner did not most carefully preserve these talismanic signs, and take them away with him?"
"They were left here with purpose, friend of mine."
"And that purpose?"
"Oceans are stormy, distances long, buccaneers many, brave Captain."
"I do not catch your meaning, señora. Do enlighten me."
"In plain words, then: if that gold should, perchance, take wings, the whilom possessor, aided by his maps, could get another precious cargo. But if the maps, as well, should take unto themselves flight, what then? Perhaps no more of the yellow metal! So, my wise and thrifty governor-general of the province made two sets of drawings, taking the one with him, leaving the other snugly ensconced in our little treasure-chamber here," pointing whimsically about the room.
"But, my lady, how did you learn all these things?"
"This same governor-general was my late husband's grandfather. He left in cipher a description of this room, of the maps and of the mine. For more than fifty years the key to the cipher was mislaid. I chanced to come across it, six months ago, in the archives of my husband's family. The cryptogram stated that the treasure which once filled these mortars was but a hint of greater riches in the mountains."