“Thank you,” said the recipient of the money, glancing at the bit of paper while he flushed with pride and pleasure.
“And that isn’t all,” Sandy hurried on. “I almost forgot to tell you an important bit of news. The story of Miller’s strike at Caribou Lake has precipitated a gold rush. Hundreds of prospectors are on their way there and a few already staked out claims. The police think that there’ll be an important camp established near Miller’s claim before the summer is over. Constable Perry left two days after our arrival, to go up there and keep order. The chances are that he’ll be stationed there permanently.”
“Too bad that Miller isn’t there himself,” said Dick. “If his life hadn’t been cut short, he might have lived to become very, very wealthy.”
“That’s true,” Sandy’s face shadowed a little.
Toma turned radiantly upon Dick.
“What you do alla time we be gone?” he asked curiously. “Sandy an’ me tell each other that you get so lonesome that——”
Interrupting him, Dick put aside the implications with a lordly gesture.
“Not a bit of it. Never had a more interesting time in my life.”
“You didn’t even miss us!” gasped Sandy.
Dick flushed as he stooped to pick up the forgotten shoulder-packs.