“After he gave it to me and told me what to do with it.”
Then followed another demonstration which it is not necessary to describe! Everything had been explained save the robbery of the boat that night, and that would never be anything but a mystery.
One of the first men to call on the boys was Dr. Holcomb, who made a great claim for damages on his boat! But he was appeased when he saw how well Jule looked, and offered the boat for another river trip. Finally he called Jule aside and whispered:
“Did you tell them?”
Jule shook his head and Clay called out:
“Tell them what?”
Again the boys gathered around to hear a story told.
“The day before you left,” the doctor began, “I found a little property which belonged to Jule. You see, his parents had owned a lot out on Cottage Grove avenue, and it had increased in value. Jule, it seems, had been paying the taxes without knowing it, for the tenant of the place had paid the claims for taxes and improvements and put the rest of the rent money in bank. He did not know that Jule’s father was dead, but expected him back any day to demand an accounting. I told Jule about it that night, and kept him quite a long time doing it!”
“Can’t you dig up a fortune for Alex and Clay now?” asked Case. “I would just enjoy being the only poor one in the bunch. I’ve cut out the prophet-of-evil business, and that is enough for me for one year.”
“This property belongs to us all,” Jule cried. “At least the income from it does, and right here we’ll form the Six Rivers Motor Boat Club and get ready for a trip in the spring.”