At these significant words the agitation of Aunt Jane was extreme.  Was it possible that Mr. Tubbs was declaring himself in the presence of others—­and was a response demanded from herself—­would his sensitive nature, so lately wounded by cruel suspicion, interpret her silence as fatal to his hopes?  But while she struggled between maiden shyness and the fear of crushing Mr. Tubbs the conversation had swept on.

“Mr. Shaw,” said Miss Browne, “you have heard Mr. Tubbs, in the interest of the expedition, liberally consent to reduce his claim by one-half.  Doubtless, if only in a spirit of emulation, you will attempt to match this conduct by canceling our present agreement and consenting to another crediting you with the former sixteenth share of Mr. Tubbs.”

“Don’t do it, Shaw—­hold the fort, old boy!” broke in Cuthbert Vane.  “I say, Miss Browne, this is a bally shame!”

Miss Browne had always treated the prospective Lord Grasmere with distinguished politeness.  Even now her air was mild though lofty.

“Mr. Vane, I must beg leave to remind you that the object of this expedition was yet unattained when Mr. Tubbs, by following clues ignored by others, brought success within our reach.  Mr. Dugald Shaw having conspicuously failed—­”

“Failed!” repeated Cuthbert, with unprecedented energy.  “Failed!  I say, that’s too bad of you, Miss Browne.  Wasn’t everybody here a lot keener than old Shaw about mucking in that silly cave where those Johnnies would have had hard work to bury anything unless they were mermaids?  Didn’t the old chap risk his neck a dozen times a day while this Christopher Columbus stayed high and dry ashore?  Suppose he did find the tombstone by stubbing his silly toes on it—­so far he hasn’t found the cave, much less the box of guineas or whatever those foreign chaps call their money.  Let Mr. Tubbs go sit on the tombstone if he likes.  Shaw and I can find the cave quite on our own, can’t we, Shaw?”

“Mr. Vane,” replied the still deferential Violet, “as a member of the British aristocracy, it is not to be supposed that you would view financial matters with the same eye as those of us of the Middle Classes, who, unhappily perhaps for our finer feelings, have been obliged to experience the harsh contacts of common life.  Your devotion to Mr. Shaw has a romantic ardor which I can not but admire.  But permit us also our enthusiasm for the perspicacity of Mr. Tubbs, to which we owe the wealth now within our grasp.”

Mr. Shaw now spoke for the first time.

“Miss Browne, I do not recognize the justice of your standpoint in this matter.  I have done and am still prepared to do my best in this business of the treasure.  If Mr. Tubbs will not give his information except for a bribe, I say—­let him keep it.  We are no worse off without it than we were before, and you were then confident of success.  My intention, ma’am, is to hold you to our original agreement.  I shall continue the search for the treasure on the same lines as at present.”