the dates on them."

"That is very easily done. One is dated 1901 and the other is dated 1899.
I don't see that you gain anything by pointing out that fact to me. I
don't see what you are driving at."

"Well the thing is pretty clear. It would be less clear if those coins
had been worn by use and circulation. But they are both of them Mint
perfect, and they are of different dates. Do you suppose that our friend
Fenwick makes a hobby of collecting English sovereigns? Besides, the man
in the frock coat was going to do something with these coins; and, of
course, you noticed how carefully they were wrapped up in cotton wool."

"I should like to make assurance doubly sure," Gurdon said. "Let's
take these two coins to some silversmith's shop and ask if they are
all right."

It was no far journey to the nearest silversmiths, where the coins were
cut up, tested, and weighed. The assistant smiled as he handed the pieces
back to Venner.

"We will give you eighteen and sixpence each for them, sir," he said,
"which is about the intrinsic value of a sovereign; and, as you are
probably aware, sir, English gold coinage contains a certain amount of
alloy, without which it would speedily deteriorate in circulation, just
as the old guinea used to; but there is no doubt that I have just lost
you three shillings by cutting up those coins."

Venner smiled as he left the shop. As a matter of fact, he was a little
more puzzled now than he had been before. He had expected to find