“Exactly,” spoke the miner.
“Well,” went on the department store proprietor, “we have talked the matter over,” and he indicated Mrs. Hopkins, the rich widow, and Mr. Baker, the banker. “We have decided that it would be too bad to lose the mine, and we have also agreed that you boys may make the trip after the nuggets—but——”
“Hurray!” yelled Bob, Ned and Jerry in a chorus.
“Wait!” exclaimed Mr. Slade, holding up his hand. “I’m not done yet. If we advance the necessary ten thousand dollars, as a syndicate of three, to secure the option, will you agree to reimburse us when you get the nuggets, and take possession of the mine?” he asked of Mr. Brill.
“I sure will!” cried the prospector. “I’ll sign any kind of paper you like.”
“And I will too!” declared Jim Nestor.
“Well, we thought you would,” went on the merchant; “so I had a contract drawn up. We have investigated your story,” he said to the prospector, “and think it is all right. We will let the boys have a try at finding the hidden nuggets.
“But mind you!” he exclaimed, becoming serious, and looking at the three chums, “it’s up to you boys now to find those nuggets, and keep ’em after you find ’em, or we’ll lose the ten thousand dollars we advance. You’ve got to find that gold!”
“And we’ll do it!” cried Jerry.
“We sure will!” exclaimed Bob.