“Hop Wong ought to get some,” said Dot. “I like him, even if he is a funny man. But he doesn’t seem to be made of china.”
“Yes, Hop Wong will get his share,” said Mr. Howbridge, amid laughter.
“And maybe those two tramps ought to have some, too. We’ll see,” added Ruth.
Though the finding of the money was kept as quiet as possible, yet it made a stir in Milton, and many a throng of curious ones came to stare at the Corner House and the inmates thereof.
Mr. Howbridge made diligent inquiries and found the story to be substantially as told by Rother and Meggs. The unfortunate friend of Uncle Peter, whose failing Mr. Stower had done his best to hide, really owned the money. It had been hidden to try to save it from going for liquor. As he died without leaving any relatives, there was none to claim the wealth.
After that a diligent search was made through the papers left by Mr. Stower and finally a document was brought to light in which the former partner left all his earthly possessions to the owner of the Corner House.
Then, as the Corner House girls succeeded to all of Uncle Peter’s belongings they, naturally, fell heirs to the iron box of money.
“And now may we have the new car?” asked Agnes, when it was all settled.
“Yes,” chuckled her guardian, “if only to keep you quiet.”
So Agnes was made happy, and so, also, was Hop Wong, for he was given a substantial sum, enough to enable him to clear off the debt on his laundry and start afresh. And later still, the two tramps were located and given new outfits of clothing and a little cash.