“That’s who they are,” replied Tommy, flushing.
Mr. Stone took the boys’ hands in both of his and wrung them warmly.
“Well this is a bit of luck,” he said heartily. “I can’t tell you boys how glad I am to see you. I’ve often wanted to lay eyes on the boys who could find four hundred dollars and never rest till they got the money back to the owner.”
“Oh, that was nothing,” answered Bobby, who always felt embarrassed when any one praised him.
“It was the only thing to do,” added Fred, his face getting almost as red as his hair.
“All the same, there are lots of boys who would never have said a word about it,” persisted Mr. Stone. “I’ve always felt sorry that your folks wouldn’t let me show my gratitude by making you boys a present of something that would have been worth while.”
“You did give us the stuff for a dandy spread.”
“Some spread that was too, fellows,” put in Pee Wee. “I was in on that and it was just scrumptious.”
“Trust Pee Wee to remember spreads if he never remembers anything else,” laughed Mouser.
Mr. Stone’s eyes twinkled as he took in Pee Wee’s generous proportions.