"Fear not for that, man, there are plenty of places where none will think of hunting; the earthquake has stood our friend in this case, as in many others," said Miguel. "Say then, Miguel, where wouldest advise to hide it--under the ruins of some church or other?" "No, fool, no; the churches were too full of gold, and numbers will soon go to dig for it," answered his companion. "That would never do. Hark thee, Baltar! There are plenty of vaults under the monasteries and convents, where no one will think of going. Who will take the trouble to dig out the lazy monks or nuns? So come along; we have no time to lose, and then we may set to work and gain more." Away they hurried, the other two men following. They examined several places, but none seemed to satisfy them. They saw that they were observed, and, drawing their knives, they waited till the others came up. "What! think you to rob us of our property?" they exclaimed, with dreadful curses, flying at them with the fury of savage beasts. They plunged their knives into the breast of the foremost, who, with a shriek, sunk dead among the ruins; but the other was prepared for them, and, instead of flying, he stood on the defensive. "This is folly, to kill each other, when we have so much better employment for our time," exclaimed the man who was the assassin employed by Count San Vincente, and he held out his hand towards those who had just slaughtered his friend. They laughed. "You are a brave fellow," said Miguel; "so come along. We will hide our booty together." They examined several other spots, without finding one sufficiently secure for their purpose; at last they reached a vast heap of ruins: not a wall was standing of what had once been an extensive building. "Ah! this will suit us; and there is no one to observe us!" they exclaimed.