"To us it is useless." He threw the piece of rock contemptuously among the bushes.

But, being thorough in all that he undertook, he returned to the cave and again conducted an inquisition.

The silver-hued vein became more strongly marked at the point where it disappeared downwards into a collection of rubble and sand.

That was all.

Did men give their toil, their lives, for this?
So it would appear.