"What is your opinion ?" "I have been thinking and thinking and thinking about it," said Mrs.
Cliff.

"Of course, that would have been all wasted, though, if it had turned out to be nothing but brass, but then, I could not help it, and this is the conclusion I have come to: In the first place, it does not belong to the people who govern Peru now.

They are descendants of the very Spaniards that the Incas hid their treasure from, and it would be a shame and a wickedness to let them have it.

It would better stay there shut up for more centuries.

Then, again, it would not be right to give it to the Indians, or whatever they call themselves, though they are descendants of the ancient inhabitants, for the people of Spanish blood would not let them keep it one minute, and they would get it, after all.
And, besides, how could such treasures be properly divided among a race of wretched savages?
It would be preposterous, even if they should be allowed to keep it.