"How many pounds of chocolates would it buy?" asked Amy, with a laugh.
"Don't you dare say chocolate to me!" commanded Grace.
"It is real," went on Betty, who had not spoken since picking up the money. "There's no doubt of that."
"If findings were keepings you'd be well off," said Mollie. "How lucky you are!" and sighed.
"Of course I can't keep it," decided Betty. "But I wonder who could have dropped it?" and she looked up at the railroad bridge over their heads, as if she might see some one standing there waiting for the return of the bill.
"What is that paper pinned to it?" asked Grace, as she took hold of it while Betty held the bank note by the two ends.
"That's so—I forgot to look at that," said the finder. She turned it over. There was some writing on it. It said:
" This is my last five hundred dollar bill—all that is left of my fortune. This is to remind me that if I don't make good use of this I don't deserve any more luck. It is make or break with me now! Which will it be?"
The girls were silent for a moment or two after reading this strange message that had come to them in such a queer manner. Then Betty said:
"Girls, what do you make of it?"