“Yes, he’s a queer old chap, but a better man never wore shoe leather. How was he when you was last talkin’ to him?”
The boys decided to humor the lonely old storekeeper. Frank reflected that possibly they might learn something about Hanleigh.
“He was quite well. He let us have the cabin for our outing.”
“Yes, that’s just like Mr. Jefferson. Got a heart of gold, specially where boys is concerned. But queer—mighty queer in some ways,” said Amos Grice, again wagging his head. “Do you know”—and he leaned forward very confidentially—“I really think he married Mary Bender because of her postage stamp collection.”
This amazing announcement left the Hardy boys rather at a loss for words.
“He married his wife because of her postage stamp collection!” exclaimed Joe.
“That’s what I said. You’ve heard of the Bender stamp collection, haven’t you?” he demanded.
The boys shook their heads.
“Well, I ain’t a stamp collector and I’ve heard of it. The Bender collection is supposed to be one of the greatest collections of postage stamps in the world. Why, I’ve heard tell that it’s worth thousands and thousands of dollars.”
“And Mrs. Jefferson owned it?”