Thus was the gold safely housed. Upon being weighed its value was
found to be about fifty-three thousand pounds of modern money. But as
some of the coins were exceedingly rare, and of great worth to museums
and collectors, this value was considerably increased, and the
treasure was ultimately sold for fifty-six thousand two hundred and
fifty-four pounds. Only Ida kept back enough of the choicest coins to
make a gold waistband or girdle and a necklace for herself, destined
no doubt in future days to form the most cherished heirloom of the
Quaritch family.
On that same evening the Squire and Harold went to London and opened
up communications with the Solicitor to the Treasury. Fortunately they
were able to refer to the will of Sir Edward de la Molle, the second
baronet, in which he specially devised to his cousin, Geoffrey
Dofferleigh, and his heirs for ever, not only his estates, but his
lands, "together with the treasure hid thereon or elsewhere by my late
murdered father, Sir James de la Molle." Also they produced the
writing which Ida had found in the old Bible, and the parchment
discovered by George among the coin. These three documents formed a
chain of evidence which even officials interested for the Treasury
could not refuse to admit, and in the upshot the Crown renounced its
claims, and the property in the gold passed to the Squire, subject to
the payment of the same succession duty which he would have been
called upon to meet had he inherited a like sum from a cousin at the
present time.
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