Platinum is usually found in small
granules, but there are records of chunks being found weighing twenty
pounds while others, the size of pigeons' eggs, are not uncommon.
"Say, this is great!" yelled Ned, discovering another large piece, and
digging it out.
"I am glad we could lead you to it," said the elder Russian brother. "It
is a small return for what you did for us!"
"Nonsense!" cried Tom. "These must be a king's ransom here. Everybody
dig it out! Get all you can."
They were all busy, but the light of the two torches Tom had brought was
not sufficient for good and efficient work, so after getting several
thousand dollars worth of the precious metal, they decided to postpone
operations until morning, and come with more lights.
They were at the work soon after breakfast, the night in the air glider
having passed without incident. The treasure of platinum proved even
richer than the Russians had thought, and it was no wonder the Imperial
government had tried so hard to locate it, or get on the trail of those
who sought it.
"And it's all good stuff!" cried Tom eagerly. "Not like that low-grade
gold of the underground city. I can make my own terms when I sell this."
For three days our friends dug and dug in that platinum mine, so many
years lost to man, and when they got ready to leave they had indeed a
king's ransom with them.
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