Part 49 (1/2)

”Oh, how glad I am of it!” murmured Chet.

A substantial supper was prepared for all,--Andy a.s.sisting his uncle in getting it ready.

”Uncle Si isn't a bit like his old self,” whispered Andy to Chet, when they sat down. ”Going to work has waked him up and made another man of him.”

”Hope he sticks to it,” answered Chet.

That evening, after all the stories had been told in detail, Josiah Graham brought out the papers Andy had lost in the woods. As the storekeeper had said, they had been well soaked by the snow and rain, but they were still decipherable.

”I am going to tell Mr. Dawson about them, and then turn them over to some first-cla.s.s lawyer,” said Andy. ”If they are really worth anything, I want to know it.”

On the following day the two boys and Mr. Greene returned to Portland.

Chet's father conferred with the police, and as a consequence Mr. A. Q.

Hopton was located, some days later, in Augusta, and placed in custody.

He was subjected to a close examination, and finally broke down, and confessed his guilt. He said that Tolney Greene had had nothing to do with the crimes, and Chet's father was completely exonerated. He also told about the timber land in Michigan, and through a firm of good lawyers Andy's claim to a substantial interest was established,--an interest said to be worth fifteen thousand dollars.

”With all that money, you won't have to work no more,” said Josiah Graham to the boy.

”But I am going to work, just the same,” answered Andy. ”And you are going to work with me, Uncle Si. Some day, we'll have a big lumber camp of our own.”

”And what is thet Greene boy goin' to do?”

”He is going into partners.h.i.+p with me--when we are old enough,” answered Andy.

”Do you think it's wuth it, to work so hard when you've got so much money?” asked Uncle Si, wistfully.

”Certainly I do. It's the best thing for me--and for you, too. I shouldn't want to be idle, even if I was a millionaire.”

”Well, jest as you say, Andy.” The old man heaved a long sigh. ”I suppose you are right--anyway, it's your money.” And then he went to work again, and said no more on the subject.

As soon as his name was cleared, Tolney Greene looked around for work.

Through Andy's influence, he obtained the position of superintendent at the lumber tract in Michigan, and Chet went to work with him.