was also gold: twelve thousand ounces from the diggings. That was the real mystery. Do you mean to say you never guessed?”

“No, by Jove I didn’t!” said I. She had diverted my interest at last. I asked her if she had known on board.

“Not until the last moment. I found out during the fire. Do you remember when we said good-by? I was nearly telling you then.”

Did I remember! The very letter of that last interview was cut deep in my heart; not a sleepless night had I passed without rehearsing it

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