It was the turn of the lumberman to start.
"Mr. Ford!" he exclaimed. "Do you know Mr. Ford?"
"I am his daughter," said Grace simply, "and he has been looking all over for you. He has had trouble about a lumber tract and he thinks you could straighten it out for him, and prove his claim. Are you really that Paddy Malone?"
"I am," said the man humbly, "and this is a judgment on me—a judgment on me! To think that James Ford's daughter should help me. Well, well! Yes, I am that Paddy Malone," he went on in louder tones, "and I can prove your father's claim. I'm through with that Jallow crowd, now. Through with 'em! Get a doctor, girls, if you can, and I'll tell everything when I'm fixed up. I'll prove James Ford's lumber claim for him, and show those swindlers that they can't fool Paddy Malone! I'll show 'em!"
He sank back on his pillow exhausted, while Betty made haste to bring more coffee.
CHAPTER XXIII
REVELATIONS
"And to think that we found Paddy Malone!" exclaimed Mollie.
"Yes, but he first found us—only we didn't know it," answered Grace.