"Well, I fancy it would come in handy in 'most any family," answered Fred with a smile.
"That's what it would. I could use a bit more myself. But I may strike it rich here. If I don't, I may have a try for the Stults treasure. I sure would, without stopping here, if I wasn't so old and stiff, and wasn't afraid of the cold."
"The Stults treasure?" asked Fred. "What's that, and where is it? Is there any chance of me getting a share?"
"I don't know. There might be," replied the miner, more seriously than Fred thought he would answer, for, at first, the boy thought his companion was joking.
"Is there really a treasure hidden around here, Mr. Gardner."
"Around here? No, only the gold in the mines, and that is hard to get out. The Stults treasure, that I referred to, is many miles away."
"Where is it?"
"In Alaska."
"Alaska?"
"Yes, and the coldest part, too. I'll tell you what I know of it, but don't hold me responsible."