I've got to go to work at something that has money in it."

The sound of Rayburn's voice had the effect on Young of waking him up.
He listened, in a sleepily approving way, to Rayburn's practical
comment, and then, giving a prodigious yawn, added, on his own account:
"Yes, that's about the size of it. We're neither of us here for our
health, Professor; what we're after is spot cash. If there was any money
in your scheme I'd take a hand in it quick enough; but as there
isn't--Well, not this evening, Professor; some other evening."

"No money in it!" I answered. "Why, haven't I told you that there is
stored in this hidden city the greatest treasure that ever was brought
into one place since the world began?"

"No, I'll be d----d if you have!" Young replied, with great energy and
promptness. "Not a word, unless it was while I was asleep. What's he
said about a treasure, Rayburn? I'm awake now, an' I'll keep awake if
there's anything like that to be talked about."

"You certainly haven't said anything about a treasure so far,
Professor," Rayburn said. "I'd like to hear about it myself. If there is
a treasure-hunting expedition mixed up with this scientific expedition
of yours, that puts a new face on the whole matter. I can't afford the
luxury of scientific investigation pure and simple, but if there is
money in it too, that is quite another thing. So tell us about your
prospect, Professor, and if the surface indications are good you can
count on me to go in."

I confess that I was a trifle disappointed upon finding how eagerly
these young men sought information in regard to a matter that I
considered so unimportant that I had forgotten even to mention it. But I
reflected that, after all, the motive by which they were induced to join
in our adventure was immaterial, while our need for the strength that
their joining in it would give us was so pressing that upon gaining them
for allies very likely depended our eventual success. Being moved by
which considerations, I dilated upon the magnitude of the hidden
treasure with such vehemence that presently their eyes were flashing,
and the blood had so mounted into their brains that their very foreheads
were ruddy and their breath came short. And I must confess that my own
pulses beat quicker and harder as I talked on. Of this treasure I had
not before thought at all, being so thoroughly taken up with the
scientific side of the discovery that I hoped to accomplish; but now I
w