"Yes, I did."
The matter began to assume a very serious aspect, for Desmond spoke seriously.
"If you found any gold, lad, you've beat me."
"I did find gold."
"On your honor?"
"Yes."
"Well, here we are on shares; tell us all about it."
Desmond laughed in turn; they had had their laugh and he had his laugh, as he said:
"Here is what I found."
The lad produced the little nugget he had picked up and then Creedon laughed, and said: