The Golden Blight

ing, and weighed the coin in his hand. "This," said he, smiling, "you admit to be the real thing, eh?" "In a small way, yes. Just a few trifles, these coins. Enough to insure three boxes of those Mindanao Specials, that's all?but still gold. Yes, gold. I had them sent up from the office this afternoon for little Christmas gifts to my people here in the house and elsewhere?butlers, chauffeurs, maids, servants, and all that." He spoke more calmly now, realizing perhaps that self-mastery was essential in face of this unknown peril. But in his spare-fleshed throat the throbbing of his pulse was ninety to the minute; and Storm, keen-eyed, noted it and smiled. "Gold!" said he. "Here it is, the real metal, the immutable element! Atomic weight, 187; specific gravity, 17.16; standard coin gold, 21.6 K fine. Melts only at1075, and can be vaporized only by the electric furnace or the oxyhydrogen blow-pipe. Make sure, now, that I haven't got either apparatus on my person; nor any selenic acid, either?the only acid which dissolves it; nor any aqua regia to transform it into the soluble trichlorid form." Speaking, he manipulated the coin, rubbing it, turning it, stroking it with his strong fingers. "Gold! Basis of all civilization, trade, life, everything, is it not? Gold, the war-maker! The world- master ! Gold, that turns the wheels of industry, moves armies, builds cities, dictates to kings and emperors, creates, rules, annihilates, glorifies! That bends...