“Two months is quite a while,” replied the boy as bravely as he could. “A good deal may happen in that time. Any way, it will give us both a chance to look around for situations. But tell me, isn’t this place worth more than the mortgage he holds?”
“Yes; but it wouldn’t bring it at a forced sale. I am quite sure we will be left without anything but our personal effects. Of course they amount to considerable; but oh, how I hate to part with any of them!”
“I hope it won’t become necessary, father. But will you let me see those letters that Colonel Mendix wrote you? I have an idea he didn’t tell you the truth about that mine.”
Mr. Bright started.
“The same thought has occurred to me,” he said. “I often wished I had gone to the place and seen for myself.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“I was ill, and too much interested in bonds here. The bonds that I carried were of the par value of one hundred thousand dollars, four times what the mine cost. I gave my attention to the larger deal. Besides, there was another reason; I did not know exactly where the mine was located nor how to reach it.”
“You did not?”
“No. Mendix had all the papers; and he kept them, or destroyed them, I do not know which.”
“Then for all you know the mine may be valuable and in running order to-day,” went on Oliver excitedly.