Baron von Kerber read the hieroglyphics, though he had to wait nearly a
year before he could obtain expert advice as to the accuracy of his
rendering. Meanwhile, Signor Alfieri and I had quarreled. I may as well
tell you that he was pestering me to marry him, and I grew to hate the
man. Then I returned to England, and a friend suggested that I should
endeavor to interest you. Now you have the whole story, so far as I am
concerned in it."
"If that is so, it would have been better had you taken me into your
confidence at the outset," said Fenshawe.
"Alfieri was using threats. I feared the loss of your co-operation if a
melodramatic element were introduced."
"But are not you and Baron von Kerber, and, as it would seem, your
Italian admirer also, attributing an absurdly fictitious value to the
find? People do not pay high prices for old coins merely because they
are historic. I have always regarded this treasure-trove as purely
antiquarian in its interest. It may contain some vessels or statuettes
worth money; but to what extent? Certainly not such fabulous sums as
you appear to imagine.
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