Mr. Fenshawe pointed out to the
men from the _Aphrodite_ how important it was that the treasure should
be made over to the Italian Government intact. By that means alone
could their story be justified, and he guaranteed that no one should
suffer financial loss by reason of his decision.
Mrs. Haxton was too ill to be either questioned or consulted. She was
carried to the sea almost at death's door, and her ultimate recovery
was doubtful even a fortnight later, when the _Aphrodite_ brought them
all to Aden. And it may be said here that the monetary value of the
treasure was not great--its utmost figure being placed at L50,000. The
two missing wallets were those containing the gems. Probably that was
another story which the desert has in safe keeping. The Italian Foreign
Office behaved generously to the disappointed archeologist. He was
acquitted from any blame in regard to the affray at the Well of Moses,
and he was asked to select for his own collection twelve of the ancient
Persian and Indian gold vases which formed the chief prizes of the
hoard.
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