Suddenly he found himself hard beset.  She had gauged him pretty accurately and therefore had asked him the question pointedly.  He must either say yes or no; true, he might be rude to her and refuse an answer, but that would be equivalent to an admission.  If he said ‘No,’ he would be lying.  There was no other word for it.

‘Well?’ persisted Sanchia.  She still smiled, she was still extremely kind and friendly, but it was plain that she would have her answer.

Still he hesitated.  What were his reasons for secrecy, after all?  Just to spring a surprise for Helen on her birthday.  He had already told Alan.  A secret is a rather dull and stupid affair unless it is shared.  Mrs. Murray was all that was sympathetic; she would rejoice with him.

‘I had not planned to say anything about it yet,’ he began hesitatingly.

‘Oh!’ she cried joyously.  ’It’s wonderful, wonderful, wonderful!  I am so glad!  Tell me about it.  All about it, every word.’

Longstreet’s smile answered her own.  And, of course, he told.

‘Only,’ he warned her, ’I am keeping it a secret for a little.  Helen doesn’t know.  Next week is her birthday.  I am going to give it to her then.’

Mrs. Murray dropped her reins long enough to clap her gauntleted hands.  Then she elicited the whole story.  She asked to be informed how he knew he had really found gold; she expressed her child-like wonder at his great wisdom; she was breathless with admiration after a fashion which made him glow; and meantime she learned exactly where the place was and saw his specimens.  As she took them into her own hands her eyes were lowered so that they were hidden; but when she looked up they were shining.

‘Give me one of them, just one,’ she pleaded.  ’Won’t you?  I should so dearly love to keep it for a souvenir of this happiness which is coming to you.’  She sighed.  Then, in a faint, quiet little voice:  ’Maybe I am asking too much?’

‘No, no,’ returned Longstreet stoutly.  He selected the finest specimen and presented it to her quite as a kind father might have given a stick of candy to his little girl.  ’It is very kind of you to rejoice with us in the good fortune which is beginning to come our way.  Just beginning,’ he added with grave assurance.

‘I’ll have a locket made of it,’ said Sanchia.  Now for a little it was Longstreet who did the talking.  She grew thoughtful, nodding now and then or answering absent-mindedly.

‘You’ll begin work soon?’ she asked abruptly.

’Immediately.  That’s what I’m going into San Ramon to-day for.  There are certain necessary papers to be drawn, you know, in order to file properly.  Then I’m going to get some men and teams and explosives and tools and begin development to-morrow.’

More thoughtful still grew Sanchia, biting her lips, frowning, hiding her eyes under her wide hat.  Once she looked up quickly and studied his eager face, her eyes keen and searching.  Then, still watching him for the slightest change of expression, she said: