Part 32 (1/2)

”And with all the gold safe!” added Fred. ”Now I can help my father and mother.”

They made good time to the settlement on the Yukon River, whence they had made the start for the interior.

The adventurers were lucky in finding a s.h.i.+p about to sail for Seattle, whence they could take a train for San Francisco. Holfax was well rewarded for his part in the treasure search, and three months after he had left his home Fred Stanley, richer by fifteen thousand dollars (for that was his share after Mrs. Stults's half and the expenses had been taken out), started from the Piddock railroad station toward the little cottage which, at one time, he feared he would never see again.

But something about it seemed strange. The shutters were closed, and there did not appear to be any one in it. For a moment the boy felt a deadly fear clutching at his heart. Suppose his father and mother had died while he was away? He had heard nothing from them, and had merely sent them a telegram from Seattle, telling them of his safe arrival, but saying nothing of his success, for he wanted to surprise them.

As he started up the front walk he heard a noise. Around the corner of the house came his father, limping along with a crutch, while his mother was walking at his side. She was weeping.

”Mother! Father!” cried Fred. ”What is it? What has happened?”

”I'll tell you what's happened!” exclaimed a gruff voice, and a roughly-dressed man appeared. ”They ain't paid their rent for two months, and they're being dispossessed--put out--that's what it is.”

”Mother, is this so?” asked Fred.

”Yes, dear. Your father lost his place as watchman, and our money gave out. But never mind. Now you are safe back I shan't worry. We can easily find another place. I can go back to sewing, and you will help us.

Perhaps some of the neighbors will care for us until you can get work.”

”You don't need work, mother!” cried Fred, throwing his arms about her neck. ”We've got lots of money. The treasure hunt was a success! I've got fifteen thousand dollars in gold as my share!”

”Fifteen thousand dollars in gold!” repeated Mr. Stanley as if in a dream. ”Then we needn't be dispossessed, mother.”

”Oh, Fred! Fred!” cried Mrs. Stanley. ”Can it be true? How did it come about? Did you really find the treasure? You're not sick, are you?”

”Sick? Why no, mother. What made you think that?”

”Because I can hardly believe what you say. I thought perhaps you might have been frozen, and been very ill and--and that it had turned your mind. I have read of persons in the far north going insane because of the dreadful whiteness and the cold.”

”No, mother; I'm all right. It was terrible cold, and we had a hard time, with plenty of danger thrown in, but I'm all right, and I'm not out of my head. In fact my health is better than ever.”

”And you really have all that gold?” repeated Fred's father again.

”Sure. Here are some samples,” and Fred pulled out a few gold nuggets that he had taken from his share of the treasure, which had been left in a safe place while he came on ahead.

At the sight of the gold the eyes of the mean landlord sparkled. He looked greedily at the yellow particles.

”Yes, that's the genuine stuff,” remarked Mr. Stanley. ”Oh, Fred, my son, how glad I am that you succeeded, for I feared you would not!”

”Ahem! I--er--I guess you'd better go back into the house, Mr. Stanley,”

said the landlord, a sudden change coming into his manner. ”I'll have your goods brought right back. I'll send in something for you to eat, too. You need nouris.h.i.+ng food, that's what you need. I'll attend to it for you. And if your son wants to invest some of his money I will be glad to offer my advice. Come back into the house and we'll talk it over.”

”Talk what over?” asked Fred sharply.