The next night, when Mr. Golden came up from Skowhegan, he told the boys that he had a surprise for them.
"What is it?" both asked eagerly.
"I received a telegram this afternoon from Captain Long, saying that a check for ten thousand dollars had been sent to you, which is the reward offered for the capture of Jim the Penman and Oily Joe."
The boys were surprised, and of course delighted, for they had not thought of a reward, although they now remembered that Captain Long had told them that one had been offered.
"But, father, don't you think that Mr. Switzer and the other policemen ought to have part of it?" asked Bob.
"No," replied his father, "I hardly think so. They only did their duty in arresting them, while you were really the ones who caught them. What do you say, Ben?"
Uncle Ben agreed with their father, in thinking that the reward belonged to them alone, but Jack proposed that they would feel better about it if they gave them a part, and Mr. Golden smilingly told them to do as they thought best. So, after talking it over, they decided to give them one thousand dollars each. Mr. Switzer and the other two men were much pleased when the boys gave them the money, and all decided that they had not expected any part of it as they considered that it belonged to the boys.
CHAPTER XXIV.
CONCLUSION.
"Say, Bob, what'll we do with this money?"
The check had been received on the day following Mr. Golden's announcement, and as soon as the boys got into bed that night they began to talk about it.