MacDonald and Aldous went to the sacks.

They were of buckskin.

The years had not aged them.

When Aldous took one in his hands he found that it was heavier than lead.

With his knife MacDonald cut a slit in one of them, and the sun that came through the window flashed in a little golden stream that ran from the bag.
"We'll take them out and put 'em in a pannier," said MacDonald.