In Search of an Unknown Race — page 141: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

VAN. 129 applying a rather peculiar looking key to the lock of the coffer on which he had been sitting, threw back the lid. Well might Van open his eyes, as Mr. Briscoe beck- oned him to his side. The chest was full to the brim of great golden coins. ‘“T only show you this—and this,” said Mr. Briscoe, opening another of the coffers, each of which was about four feet square, ‘‘to give you an idea of the wealth it is possible to accumulate in this remarkable country. And yet, as compared with thousands in the city, I am only comfortably well off.” ‘‘Comfortably well off.” Van made a very rough mental calculation as to the number of gold pieces a box four feet square might contain, and in a dazed sort of way rubbed his eyes and wondered if his uncle was not laughing at him. If Mr. Briscoe was not thus doing in a metaphorical sense, Ninada was in a literal one. To her eyes there was nothing out of the ordinary in the sight of such great possessions, and Van’s amazement seemed some- thing very amusing. ‘‘ Wait, Cousin Van,” she said, while her beautiful face dimpled with smiles, ‘‘ there is something more to come.” There was indeed! Four coffers of coin were dis- played, and a fifth filled with vases, cups, and strange ornaments, which, Mr. Briscoe explained, were found just as he saw them when he first discovered the secret treasure room. The lid of the sixth being thrown back disclosed an upper tray divided into compartments, And an invol- EOmiGcdoo cS (E(@)