Early that afternoon he had exhausted the possibilities of work in New Strike.
"I think I'll start back home," he said. "There's no use bothering to look up Mr. Gardner."
The truth was he disliked to tell the old miner he had not succeeded in getting work. So Fred started off on his long tramp back to Piddock.
But, as he was passing along the main, and, in truth, the only street of the town, a voice hailed him.
"Hold on there, Fred," was the cry, and he turned to see the old miner beckoning to him, from in front of the "Imperial Hotel," as a sign in front of the one-storied building indicated it to be. "Wait a minute. I want to speak to you!"
CHAPTER III
THE BURIED TREASURE STORY
Fred turned and walked toward the hotel, the old miner advancing to meet him.
"Well," asked Mr. Gardner, "how'd you make out?"