"Vell, vot it is?" asked Mrs. Stults, when he introduced himself.
"I have a letter of introduction from Mr. William Gardner," said Fred, extending the missive.
"I don't knows such a man as dot."
"Don't know Mr. Gardner—Old Bill Gardner?" and Fred began to feel disappointed, thinking he had made a mistake.
"Oh, so! You means dot Old Bill! Ach! Yah! I knows him vell. Vot you say, he has wrotten me a letters?"
"It's about that Alaska treasure."
"Oh, dot treasure! I wish I never hear of him! He kill mine poor husband, und he is more bodders to me as everyding; dot treasures! Vait; I reads der letter."
Slowly adjusting a large pair of glasses, she carefully spelled out the missive. Her face took on a more kindly look, and, when she had finished it, she said:
"Vell, Fred, I do 'most anyding for you, after I read dot letter from Old Bill. My husbands vos very fond of Bill. Vot it is you vants?"
"I would like to get a map of where the treasure is buried, and have you tell me all you can about it."