THE MOORISH GOLD.
into a back street soon found a shop that he thought suited to his purpose. Here, after a little beating about the bush, he produced his coins and his diamond, and after a little hesitation on the part of the shopman, received eighteen guineas for the stone and one coin—far less than they were worth; but the man would not give more.
On returning, he was told that his master had been ringing for him; he ran upstairs in some trepidation, and found the two old gentlemen examining a large cabinet full of coins. 'Richard,' said his master, 'I want you to hold this tray.' Richard did so, and looked down on its contents. 'Those,' said the host to his friend, 'are early English.' He lifted up another light tray, and Richard held it on the top of the first. 'Now then, old fellow,' he exclaimed, 'this is something to be proud of indeed; Spanish coins date of the Moors—all rare—this one, unique; I gave forty pounds for it.'
'Not a penny too much,' said Richard's master; 'and these two coins set apart—are they Spanish too?'
'Moorish, and all but unique; they've been in my family for generations.'
Richard looked down, and his heart beat so loud that he wondered they did not hear it; then he drew a long breath, and gazed intently, as well he might, for, reposing on cotton wool, side by side, were the very counterparts—the exact fac-similes—of the great gold pieces he got out of the cavern.
'What's the matter, Richard?' said his master; for Richard's hands shook, and he stared as if fascinated.
