e of them should remain
at home to look after Bob and little May, while the other two devoted a
few hours of the day to the cave. As they took it in turns to remain at
home in the capacity of nurse, each of them had two days in the cave to
one at the cottage.

In the meantime, thanks to Lance's skill and the careful nursing of the
ladies, Bob was making steady progress toward recovery, and within a
month of the occurrence of his accident was beginning to ask how much
longer he was going to be kept a prisoner.

He had been made aware of the gold discovery, by occasional references
to it on the part of the others in his presence, but he had never heard
the complete story; so one day, when it was Blanche's turn to remain at
home, he asked her to give him the entire history; which she did.

He listened most attentively; and when the story was over remained
silent, apparently wrapped in profound thought, for several minutes.

Looking up at last, with a flush of excitement on his face, he
exclaimed--

"Why, there must be gold enough there to make millionaires of every one
of us!"

"Yes," said Blanche, "I believe there is; at least Lan-- Mr Evelin says
so, and I have no doubt he knows."

"Oh yes," exclaimed Bob enthusiastically, "_he_ knows. I believe he
knows _everything_. And what a splendid fellow he is, isn't he, Miss
Lascelles?"

This last with a sly twinkle in his roguish eye.

Blanche appeared to think it unnecessary to comment upon or reply to
this remark; at all events she remained silent. But the window-curtain
somehow needed adjustment just at that moment, and the haste with which
she rose to attend to this little matter--or something else--caused a
most lovely pink flush to overspread her cheeks. Bob saw it; perhaps he
knew exactly what caused it; but if he did he was too much of a
gentleman to show that he had noticed it. So when Blanche had adjusted
the curtain to her satisfaction he remarked with a heavy sigh--

"Oh dear! I _wish_ I was well enough to be out and at work again. I
long to have the handling of some of that gold."

"You must have patience, Robert," said Blanche. "The worst part of your
illness is now over, and in due time you will no doubt be able to take
your share of the work once more. But whether such is the case or not,
you may rest satisfied that you will have your share of the gold.
Whatever there may be, whether it be much or little, I know the
gentlemen have decided