"I want to save Mr. Wardell's fortune for him. You heard what Uncle Ezra said. Can't you take a hand, and change matters?"
Mr. Hamilton thought a moment.
"Dick," he said, "what your uncle told me was in confidence. I can't violate that. I'm sorry—in a way—that you overheard what you did, and yet it may be for the best in the end. I can't act, and yet——"
"Is there anything to prevent me, Dad?"
"No-o-o-o," was the answer, slowly given. "I don't know as there is."
"And you can advise me; can't you?"
"Well, Dick, if you ask me questions, I suppose I'll have to answer them," and there was a twinkle in Mr. Hamilton's eyes. "But Uncle Ezra won't like it if he finds it out," the father concluded.
"He won't find it out!" declared Dick, with energy.
"Now here is how I size it up," the young man went on. "Uncle Ezra got Mr. Wardell's fortune—which consisted mostly of railroad stock—in exchange for a loan."
"Yes, he took the stock, or, rather he has had his lawyers take it, because the money was not repaid to him."