Remove the detaining iron bar, and the released flotilla would sail downward to the mouth of the drain and deliver its yellow freight of gold to whomsoever waited to receive it.
Richard and Inspector Val continued up the drain, the latter wary and ready for Storri, whom he every moment hoped to meet.

There appeared no Storri; the two explorers at last reached London Bill's tunnel, finding nothing during their march but a solid procession of richly freighted rubber rafts--three-quarters of a mile of gold! "There's four millions of dollars between here and the river," said Inspector Val.
Richard and his guide paused where London Bill's tunnel opened into the drain.

Flashing his lamp about, Inspector Val showed Richard where London Bill had built a platform on which to store the rubber rafts before inflating and launching them down-stream, each with its five-thousand-dollar cargo of gold.
"Did you ever see sweeter arrangements!" whispered Inspector Val, in an ecstasy of admiration.
Bidding Richard remain where he was, Inspector Val, revolver in one hand, dark-lantern in the other, bent low his head and disappeared in London Bill's tunnel.

He was gone an age as it seemed to Richard.

Then he reappeared, and soberly brushed the clay from his garments.
"No Storri," was the sententious remark of Inspector Val; "not a sign of him.