"Then our blue vein is no longer our secret. If this man makes a claim at once he will own the mine, and my share in it will be but one-quarter."
"We had better return at once; and if you wish to do so, send in your claim at once to the government at Halifax."
They went back to Bluff House, and at low tide Miss Gaston and Miss Forest came to the island. Addressing the old man, Miss Forest said:
"Oh, Mr. Gotro, where can we get some of the beautiful opals such as Mr. Winslow's boatman had this morning?"
"Then it is Len who has found the blue vein," cried Winslow. "When did you see him?"
"Early this morning. He found out from somebody that the stone had considerable value, and he is on his way to Halifax, after telegraphing ahead to the government. He had with him several pieces. He said that nobody else knew where the place is."
"That young man is the owner of a valuable mine, and is from this day a rich man. My friend, Mr. Gotro, is the rightful owner, as he has known of the mine for several days and first found it, yet he is too late now to get possession of it."
"My share of it will be sufficient," said Pierre, calmly. The venerable old man, in his life of seclusion and labor, had never known the lust of wealth. But for his daughter he would not have made an effort to secure his just share in the blue vein.