It was a breathless moment. Everything was forgotten but the amazing revelation. Even the Kid, in that supreme moment, found the shadow of Usak less haunting. The bagging was drawn clear.
There it lay in the bottom of the pan. A number of dull, yellow, jagged nuggets lying on a bed of yellow dust nearly half an inch thick.
It was Perse who found the first words.
“Phew!” he cried with something resembling a whistle. “Dollars an’ dollars! How many? Did you get it on— Caribou?”
“Sure. Right on Caribou.”
Wilder nodded, his eyes contemplating his treasure.
“Where?”
It was Clarence who asked the vital question.
“You can’t get that—yet.” Wilder shook his head without looking up.
“Mum would be crazy to see this,” ventured the thoughtful Mary Justicia.