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Page 374

| "And I sure as hell did not reveal the names of my two partners," Ashton said. "Crispin and Rufus. The best two friends a man could ever have." He gave Crispin an appreciative look. |

| Crispin went to Ashton and held the saddlebag out before him. "Fill it to the brim, Ashton," he said, his voice breaking. "It's time you got paid for your wrongful time in prison. Pay yourself well." |

| Sasha's lips parted in surprise. "What are you talking about?" she then asked, her eyes wide. She turned to Ashton. "What does he mean, Ashton?" |

| Ashton slung the saddlebag across his shoulder, took the shovel from Crispin, and slipped an arm around Sasha's waist. He winked at Crispin, then began walking Sasha across the ash-strewn ground. "It's time I went and dug up that chest I was telling you about," he said, smiling down at Sasha. "For now I plan to take some of its contents for our own personal use. Then, after we get back to Melbourne, I will tell the authorities where the chest is. Now that Superintendent Howland is no longer in charge in Melbourne, the authorities will be delighted to get their hands on this chest. It will also prove, once and for all, the superintendent's guilt." |

| Ashton frowned down at Sasha. "But first and foremost, I plan to take my fair share of the loot for what I have had to endure," he said. "The coins I plan to take as payment for my service to the country will give us another start, Sasha. I would say we are deserving of reward." |

| "Ashton, it's wonderful that you feel you have found a way to ensure our dream again," Sasha murmured. "And I want it as badly as you. But why did you wait until now? If you knew the coins were |

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