He sold it for $3,600." "Since you know so much about the 1804 dollar," went on Milo, catechizingly, "perhaps you know why it is so rare?
Or perhaps you didn't add a study of American history to your numismatics ?" "The commonly accepted story goes," said Brice, taking no heed of the sneer, "that practically the whole issue of 1804 dollars went toward the payment of the Louisiana Purchase money, when Uncle Sam paid Napoleon Bonaparte's government a trifle less than $15,000,000 (or under four cents an acre) for the richest part of the whole United States.

Payment was made in half a dozen different forms,--in settlement of anti-French claims and in installment notes, and so forth.

But something between a million and two million dollars of it is said to have been paid in silver." "Are you a schoolmaster, Mr.Brice ?" queried Milo, who seemed unable to avoid sneering in futile fashion at the man who was dominating his wavering willpower.
"No, Mr.Standish," coolly replied the other.

"I am Gavin Brice, of the United States Secret Service." Standish's bearded jaw dropped.

He glanced furtively about him, like a trapped rat.