“One hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars!” gasped Oliver, as he surveyed the figures. “Can it be possible?”
“It is,” laughed the gentleman. “Your father will be a rich man.”
“What welcome news it will be to him! This mine was our last hope. Had it failed us we would have been thrown upon the world without a dollar. But I am glad for your sake also, for you did so much towards getting our rights.”
“Not half as much as you, my boy. The real credit is wholly yours.”
On the following day, after all necessary preparations were made, Oliver and Gus departed with the sheriff and the prisoner on the return. At Ford’s store the sheriff left them, but the two boys had no difficulty in following the trail back to Sacramento.
“Now for the first train home!” said Oliver. “Father must hear the good news without delay.”
CHAPTER XXXIV.
CONCLUSION.
“Too bad! I thought there would surely be some word from Oliver to-day.”