“Is it possible?”
“I tried to meet him to have a talk with him; but before I could do so he took the train for the West.”
Mr. Whyland was astonished over what Oliver had to say. He asked the boy to tell his story, and as Oliver could see no harm in so doing, he complied.
“From what you say we are undoubtedly on the same errand,” remarked Mr. Whyland when he had finished. “You are searching for your father’s share, and I am searching for the share given to Colonel Mendix, which that individual transferred to me. It is most fortunate that we met. If you have no objection we will work together.”
“I shall be happy to do so, Mr. Whyland. You are a man, and a man can, as a rule, do more than a boy.”
“But I take you to be a remarkably bright boy,” laughed the gentleman. “I am sure we will get along famously together. I have not much to tell, excepting that I met Colonel Mendix in Boston, where he was introduced to me by James Barr, the surveyor you have mentioned. By Mr. Barr’s advice I invested in the mine. I waited for a long time to hear from the two, but never did. Other business claimed my attention. But now I am free to hunt the matter up, and I intend to do so. The amount at stake is not a large one to me; but still I wish to learn positively whether I have been swindled or not.”
“The amount is a good deal to my father,” said Oliver. “He has lost all of his other property, and this is his last hope.”
“Then I trust that for his sake as well as for my own the mine proves of value.”
“You’ve got to find it first,” put in Gus. “Remember the old saying about counting chickens before they are hatched.”
“I would say, don’t count the eggs before they are found,” laughed Mr. Whyland. “But we will trust for the best.”