It was found that those inside had been almost drowned, and all were unable to help themselves and had to be carried to the ship's cabin. Here they lingered for many hours between life and death. The diving bell was ruined, and it was doubtful if another search for the treasure could be made by the Hankers' party. CHAPTER XXXI THE TREASURE AT LAST--CONCLUSION Little dreaming of the accident which had overtaken their rivals, Amos Fearless and Dave returned to their own diving bell. The heart of each was heavy, and for several minutes neither felt like speaking. "A wild-goose chase," said the old diver at last. "I might have known it would prove so." "But what has become of the gold?" returned Dave. "It couldn't walk off of itself." "That is true. Perhaps those on board of the _Happy Hour_ took it off, when they found the ship was about to sink." "But they never brought any of the treasure to land." "No--at least, none that was reported. They might have done such a thing in secret." "Supposing we move the bell around and make another search," suggested Dave. "The demons appear to have vanished." They pumped in a fresh supply of air and then moved around in a large circle. It was hard work, and the confinement of the diving bell gave each a headache and a strange ringing in the ears. Presently they came to a curiously shaped mound of shells, covered with moss. "Hullo, what's this?" said Dave. "Hang me if it doesn't look like the home of some submarine animal. Perhaps it's a meeting house for those demons." "If it is, we had better move on," replied Amos Fearless, in the sign language. But Dave was curious to investigate, and presently they replaced their helmets, took in some fresh air, and sallied forth to examine the mound. Inside all was damp--a dampness different from that produced by the water around them. The mound proved to be hollow, with the walls covered with brilliant seashells of all colors. At the top was a round hole to admit light. In the center was a smaller mound, with a curious hump in the middle. "Nothing here," signed Amos Fearless, when of a sudden something glittering caught Dave's eye. He stooped and picked up--a gold coin! In a moment he was digging away at the small mound in the center of the shell-like structure. The moss came away readily, and to their gaze was disclosed--a heap of shining gold! "The treasure!" burst from the young diver. "Found at last!" His father was equally pleased. The gold was mixed with bits of other bright metal and glass, for whoever had stored it there had known no difference in value and had simply made a collection of stuff bright to the eye. "Let us go back and fill up the diving bell," said Amos Fearless, by signs. Dave was more than willing, and they soon had the diving bell as close as possible to the door of the mound. They had brought several bags along, and into these they began heaping the gold.