We returned to the original treasure fields and found Arnold and Slack patiently waiting. Some discussion arose over the vast values we were leaving behind us unguarded and the urgent necessity to place some one in charge. Slack was willing enough to stay, and Dodge and Janin begged me to induce Rubery to remain with him. This Rubery rebelled against lustily. He had come on a pleasure trip--nothing more. But he was a most accommodating man at heart, and finally gave in. So we rode away from the diamond fields, leaving Rubery and Slack on guard. I never saw Slack afterwards--what became of him is a dark mystery that I will take up later on. CHAPTER XXIX. PUBLIC SOON HEARS OF WONDERFUL FIND AND GOSSIPS CARRY NEWS UNTIL WHOLE WORLD IS KEENLY INTERESTED. _Company to Develop Diamond Fields Includes Great Lords of Finance and One Noted Union General._ We returned direct to New York; that is to say, all of the original party except Rubery and Slack. Of course, Mr. Ralston was advised by wire of the substantial results of our examination. Likewise, of course, we advised our New York friends who had been previously in our confidence, that our best expectations were exceeded. Where so many are cognizant of a secret, it very soon becomes public property, and in a brief space of time all New York and, for the matter of that, all the civilized world, knew that vast diamond fields had been discovered on the North American continent, had been inspected by a mining engineer of great reputation and pronounced genuine. Something like the profound excitement that stirred the mighty Argonaut movement began to take form everywhere. As an evidence of this fact, almost immediately after I had reached New York, Baron Rothschild of London, who had previously made inquiries of us, arranged for what amounted to a cable interview. He informed me that he had just received a cable from Mr. Ralston. (This, I presume, related to the agency he accepted at a later date.) He stated further that he had heard of the Tiffany appraisement, also that I had personally made a visit to the mines with a leading expert. He wished me to confirm the result of our observations. I answered Baron Rothschild that half the truth had not been told; that the diamond fields were rich beyond calculation; that every doubt and shadow of a doubt had been absolutely removed, so far as I was concerned. The Baron thanked me, saying he was pleased to hear the good news.