Hodge sat quite still for some seconds.
“Merry,” he said, at last, beginning to tremble all over, “are you sure this is good? Are you sure there is no crooked business behind it?”
“Of course I am,” smiled Frank.
“How can you be?” asked Bart.
“I received it from the very man with whom I did the business in Carson when I made the deposit. In order that there might be no mistake he came on here and delivered it to me personally.”
“I think I’m dyin’!” muttered Ephraim. “I’ve received a shock from which I’ll never rekiver! Forty-three thousan’ dollars! Oh, say, I know there’s a mistake here!”
“Not a bit of a mistake,” assured Merriwell, smiling, triumphant.
“And all that money is yourn?”
“No.”
“Why—why, ther check’s made out to yeou.”