How those poor men met their death in that watery grave is not known, probably never will be, but it is a certainty, as Westy remarked, that no matter how useless Ollie Baxter’s life may have been, his death was timely and for some good purpose.
Westy figured that the force of Ollie’s body in striking bottom must have disturbed those two skeletons, lying there through all those years, sending them floating to the top, while his remained on bottom.
At any event Ollie Baxter has never been seen again, but he surely did Westy a good turn in doing what he did.
They telegraphed from Eagle City the next day, to Mr. Temple, of Westy’s wonderful find.
It meant great rejoicing to Mr. Temple and before he left Bridgeboro for the West, he called on Westy’s father.
He told Mr. Martin what a big thing it had been for his son to have unearthed the agreement. He went on to say that it meant one of the biggest business deals of the day and that they would surely have to reward him.
Mr. Martin said he spoke for Westy and knew that his son wouldn’t think of any such thing, but was only too happy to have rendered Mr. Temple that service.
After Mr. Temple had left, promising to bring the boys safely back with him, Mrs. Martin looked at her husband, eyes gleaming with pride.
“With all your shouting,” she said smilingly, “about that boy’s romanticism and lack of business ideas he’s proven himself a bigger and better business man than you are!”
“My dear!” said Mr. Martin with good-humor, “don’t rub it in! I know when I’m licked!”