Now he decided to land there. The shore
rose steeply from the water, but he scrambled up. He had expected
to find limestone, but he could hardly believe his own eyes: it
was cement stone! Absolutely, undoubtedly, cement stone! How far
did it extend? As far as he could see; it might even extend to the
boundary of the estate. In any case, here was sufficient for
extensive works for many, many years, if only there were enough
silica with the clay and lime. He had soon knocked off a few
pieces, which he put into the boat, and set out for home to
analyse them.
Seldom had any one rowed faster than he did; now he shot past the
islands into the bay, up to the landing-place before the house. If
the cement stone contained the right proportions, here was what
would make Helene and himself independent of every one; AND THAT
AT ONCE!
A little later, with dirty hands and clothes, his face bathed in
perspiration, he rushed up to his mother with the result of his
investigations.
"Here is something for you to see."
She was reading; she looked up and turned as white as a sheet.
"Is that the cement stone?" she asked, as she put down her book.
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