At the broad landing at the top the altar was about waist-high, and now for the first time they made out that at the back there was a big sitting figure, whose breast seemed to be covered with a kind of rayed shield; but everything was indistinct in the flickering light, and the figure was absolutely clothed in dust. Just then Briscoe stretched out his left hand and laid it upon one of the objects which stood in a row on either side of the altar. The next moment he began to breathe hard as if he were about to have a fit. "What's the matter?" said Brace anxiously; "overcome by the heat and smoke?" "No, no," whispered Briscoe hoarsely. "Touch that thing nearest to you." Brace did as was suggested, and found that it was heavy, but that he could move it. "Why, it isn't stone," he said, "but metal. It must be some kind of ornament." "Yes," said Briscoe, in a hoarse whisper, "and that kitchen place we went in first was a foundry; that next place where you spoke of a rubbish heap was all ore. I picked up a bit, as you know, and it's rich. Brace, my lad, we've found the Spaniards' El Dorado, and these ornaments we have just touched are solid gold." "Impossible!" said Brace, in an awe-stricken whisper. "'Tisn't, lad. Look now the light's stronger. That squatting figure with the thing like a rayed shield over his breast isn't only stone, for I'd bet my last dollar that the shield's a golden sun." "Well?" cried the captain; "found anything?" "Oh, yes," said Brace, trying to speak calmly; "this is an altar, sure enough." "Well, I'd give it up for to-day. Come out, Brace," cried Sir Humphrey, "and we'll examine the place carefully to-morrow when the fire has burned out and the air is breathable. I think we shall be able to take back something curious for our pains." "Not a doubt about it," said Briscoe cheerily. "Yes; we've had enough of it for to-day, and I want something to take the smoke and dust out of my throat. Come along, Brace. Hist," he whispered: "not a word till we get them away from the men." "I understand," said Brace. A few minutes afterwards the whole party were out on the terrace, shouting down explanations to Dellow and the men, who on seeing the smoke rising had taken to the small boat and rowed to the foot of the great wall. "Found anything worth getting?" shouted the mate. "Well, yes: I suppose so," cried the captain. "It's a big temple full of stone idols. We shall have to take a boat-load back for the British Museum." "Bah!" said Dellow. "Are you coming back now? Dan's got a splendid dinner of fish and bird roasted and I don't know how you are; we're starving here." "We shall be with you in no time now," said the captain. "Forward, my lads, and let's get back." The men started, Sir Humphrey and the captain followed, and Brace and Briscoe came last. "Yes, that's gold, sure enough," said Brace, looking furtively at the piece of ore thrust into his hand. "But, Briscoe?" "Well?"