it.

But Elsa could not conceive that everybody should not be interested in
all that concerned everybody else; and, besides, this was quite another
matter. One for pride, indeed, beyond the accomplishment of the most
difficult "lacework" or "overshot" stitch.

From the same chest in which her precious half-dozen plated spoons had
reposed she now drew forth a buckskin sack; and, from this, with radiant
eyes fixed on Mr. Hale's own, another bag, knitted, of course, and
seemingly heavy. Sitting before him she spread her own apron over her
guest's knees and poured therein a goodly pile of gold and silver coins.
With a little catching of his own breath the lawyer realized that among
these were many eagles and double eagles.

"Why, this is wealth. This is _money_. I can see now, after our paper
bills and 'checks' how real this seems. You are a fortunate woman, Dame
Elsa. Now, I begin to respect your 'tidies' and notions as things of
moment. Did you earn it all?"

"Ach! wait. There is more already. This but begins; and it is for the
child. Some day, when there is enough, he shall this mine buy and the
machinery hire, and the workmen. Then he will repay to the mistress of
Sobrante, and our Lady Jess, all that their dead man spent for us. More.
He will make the great money--this but leads the way. Wait."

Trustful and eager of appreciation, which came so rarely into her
isolated life, the woman thrust her hand again into the buckskin sack,
her shining eyes still fixed upon the stranger's face, and her fingers
fumbling nervously in the depths of the narrow bag. Her excitement
and delight communicated itself to him, and he found himself watching
her broad, beaming face with intense curiosity.

But--the face was changing. The light was dying out of the sparkling
eyes, an ashy color succeeding the ruddy hue of the fat cheeks.
Bewilderment, then anxiety, then terror.

"Why, good Elsa, what is it?"

"Gone--gone--but I am robbed, I am ruined! Mein Gott, man! Little
one--lost, lost, lost!"

With a shriek the poor creature sprang up, and in so doing scattered far
and wide the coins she had already poured into her apron, but heeded
nothing of this as she rushed frantically out of doors.

CHAPTER IX

AT THE BOTTOM OF THE SHAFT

While Elsa had been entertaining the stranger within doors Jessica had
sought Wolfgang and compelled him, by her coaxing, to admit that Ephraim
Marsh had been there and, also, that Antonio Be