id one day to Angela
and me. "It is not in my power to bequeath you a fortune, in the ordinary
sense of the word, for money I have none, yet so long as the mission
prospers you will be better off than if I could give you millions. But
everything human is ephemeral and I cannot disguise from myself the
possibility of some great disaster befalling you. Those mountains contain
both gold and silver, and an invasion of treasure-seekers, either from the
sea or the Cordillera would be the ruin of the mission. My poor people
would be demoralized, perhaps destroyed, and you would be compelled to
quit Quipai and return to the world. For that contingency, though I hope
it will never come to pass, you must be prepared, and I will point out the
way. The mountains, as I have said, contain silver and gold; and contain
something even more precious than silver and gold--diamonds, I made the
discovery nearly half a century ago, and I confess that, for a time, the
temptation was almost more than I could withstand. With such wealth as I
saw at my disposal I might do anything, be anything, enrich my order, win
distinction for myself, and attain to high rank, perhaps the highest, in
the church, or leave it and become a power in the world, a master of men
and the guest of princes. Yes, it was a sore temptation, but with God's
help, I overcame it and chose the better part, the path of duty, and I
have my reward. I brought a few diamonds away with me, some of which are
in Angela's cross; but I have never been to the place since. I told you
not this sooner, my son, partly because there seemed no need, partly
because, not knowing you as well as I know you now, I thought you might be
tempted in like manner as I was and we pray not to be led into temptation.
But though I tell you where these precious stones are to be found, I am
sure that you will never quit Quipai."

"I have no great desire to know the whereabout of this diamond mine,
father. Tell me or not as you think fit. In any case, I shall be true to
my trust and my word. I promise you that I will not leave Quipai till I am
forced, and I hope I never may be."

"All the same, my son, it is the part of a wise man to provide for even
unlikely contingencies. Remember, it is the unexpected that happens, and I
would not have you and our dear Angela cast on the world penniless. For
her, bred as she has been, it would be a frightful misfortune; and up
yonder are diamonds which would make you rich be