When the old gentleman saw the huge silver coins, each more than double the size of a five-shilling piece, he seemed spell-bound.

“What are they?  Are all the bags full?” he queried.

“Yes, dad; and now if you will all sit down I will tell you the history of my curious cargo.”

Then I told them from beginning to end the entire history of Barbe Rouge’s hoard, just as it is already known to the reader.  I wound up my wonderful recital by calling for pen, ink, and paper, and there and then writing off to M. Oudin, in Paris, giving him a full account of the find, and asking what should be done with the property.

By Priscilla’s desire I did not visit the Priory that day, but on the morrow, after lunch, I took my heavy stick and strode up the gravel path and gave a very important rat-a-tat-tat at the great oak door.  The servant who answered my summons informed me, much to my disappointment, that both Mr. Johnson and his son had gone to Liverpool the previous day, the former to see the latter off.  Something of importance, the servant thought, had caused him to depart two days before the date upon which it was at first intended he should leave Barton.  With a glance at my big stick I thought perhaps I had somehow influenced his hegira, and such I afterwards found to be the case.

As I was bidding the servant (who did not know me) “good morning” she asked my name, and upon my mentioning that I was Mr. Nilford’s son, asked me to wait while she fetched a letter which had been left in case I should call.  Mr. Johnson had also left a letter for Miss Grant.  This I said I should have much pleasure in delivering, and took them both.

Arrived home I found Priscilla waiting for me in great anxiety, fearing that if Walter Johnson was at home something serious between us might occur.  Probably something would have occurred.  She seemed greatly upset, and taking me aside, said she had something to impart to me, which I must promise to forgive her for.  I consented.

“Then, Harry, I must confess to having written to Walter Johnson yesterday.  No, do not look in that terrible manner, for I did it both for your good and his.  I simply informed him that you were home and would call upon him to-day, so that if he wished to avoid a violent scene he had better hasten his departure.”

I could say nothing to this, as I felt that what she had done had saved a deal of bother.  Then I handed her the letter inscribed with her name.  To my surprise she would not open it herself, and no amount of persuasion would cause her to.  She wished me to open it and read its contents, that I might see all was fair and straightforward.  It merely asked forgiveness for the writer for having behaved in such an ungentlemanly manner, and hoping that as all was fair in love and war, she would think of him as one who, having striven for a great prize, had failed.  Although defeated, he hoped she would remember him as one not disgraced, etc., etc.