See how the sun makes them
look as if they were alight! Are they _really_ real? Where _did_ you get
them from? Are they yours?" and a dozen other questions were put to me
in as many seconds, but I only laughed and said:

"Now do you believe me?"

The gold dishes, chalices, etc., were also produced, and made a great
impression--gold always does.

My good old dad stood by, looking very grave, and gave a very emphatic
shake of his head, so I said:

"What do you think of it all?"

Another shake of the head, and then:

"I don't know what to make of it at all, Harry; but if these things are
yours, I hope you came by them honestly. Such things are not indigenous
to Jethou, you know!"

"Not indigenous to Jethou! Why, Alec will bear me out that they have
been indigenous to the island for scores of years, won't you, Alec?"

"It is quite true, Mr. Nilford. These things have belonged to Jethou for
a century at least, but I cannot affirm that they are actually the
native produce of the island, any more than the contents of these bags."

He thereupon pulled out one of the great leathern bags and placed in my
father's hand, who nearly dropped it, as it weighed over a stone.

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 after