I said, as I moved to the back of the chair and picked the object up. It was a long and heavy chain, which slipped easily through my fingers. “This is treasure indeed.” Fence clapped his hands and laughed aloud. “I knew we should find it. What’s that on the chain?” he asked, his cheeks red as apples in the firelight. “It’s a pendant, a medallion, a golden medallion covered in precious gems,” said I, examining it. “There is something engraved on it. A strange-looking bird. Come see.” Fence studied it carefully. “It’s a bird on a bed of flames, just like the flames of this fire.” He turned it over and over again. “The engraving seems familiar. I’m sure I once knew what the bird represents, but have forgotten. It must be worth a fortune.” “We should put it back now, Robin.” “Don’t be daft. We should swipe it, swipe it and run.” I grinned. My wickedness was rising fast, with its old whoosh and flash hardly tarnished. “If we ever get back to England, or even to Virginia, we’ll be rich as Croesus.”
