Mark spends his time designing his new house on Russian Hill and mentally spending his new found wealth while tending in ill Capt. Nye, meanwhile Higbie too is called away from the claim in search of the elusive cement mine. They miss the deadline and loose the claim. Their third partner manages to hold a share of the new claim by way of a cocked revolver. This marks to end of Sam Clemens' dreams of striking it rich in the silver mine business. The next chapter finds him entering the world of journalism.