"What does father say?"
"That he never signed the check on which the money was paid."
"Then he never did!" asserted Fred emphatically. "I'll bet Charles Gibbs and Thomas Montgomery are mixed up both in the deed and the check transaction."
"Hush, dear, you mustn't say such things! Both your father and I believe as you do, but Mr. Montgomery is so powerful we can do nothing, unless we have absolute proof," exclaimed Mrs. Markham, looking anxiously about in fear that some one might have entered and heard the remark.
"Don't worry, mother," exclaimed Fred, jumping from his chair and running to her, as he saw the tears fall on her cheek when she finished the story, "I'll get the proof!"
CHAPTER VII
MRS. MARKHAM'S RUSE
As Fred uttered the manly words, his mother raised her tear-stained face, the light of hope shining in her eyes, threw her arms about him and, her head resting on his shoulder, murmured, between her sobs:
"Oh, if you only could, my boy!"
"I will find the proof, if there is any," asserted Fred confidently, "so cheer up, Momsy."