The sun was up an hour before Joe and Bickford awoke. When Joe opened his eyes he saw that it was later than the hour he intended to rise. He shook his companion.
“Is it mornin’?” asked Bickford drowsily.
“I should say it was. Everybody is up and eating breakfast. We must prepare to set out on our journey.”
“Then it is time—we are rich,” said Joshua, with sudden remembrance. “Do you know, Joe, I hain’t got used to the thought yet. I had actually forgotten it.”
“The sight of the nugget will bring it to mind.”
“That’s so.”
Bickford felt for the nugget, without a suspicion that the search would be in vain.
Of course he did not find it.
“Joe, you are trying to play a trick on me,” he said. “You’ve taken the nugget.”
“What!” exclaimed Joe, starting. “Is it missing?”