"Jud," came Mr. Donegan's voice over the wire, "what would you and Bill and Joe think of another expedition—after emeralds this time?"
"We'd think well of it," returned Jud, promptly. "The kids are here at my house now."
"Good work!" exclaimed the lumber-king. "All three of you come right over. I've got a scientist here who's going to guide you to where the emeralds grow."
"You got a what?" queried Jud.
"A scientist!" shouted Big Jim, "a perfesser. One of those fellows who know all about everything except what's useful."
"We'll be right over," said Jud, hanging up the receiver and breaking the news to his friends.
"Listens good," said Will, while Joe grunted approvingly.
"It's a pity old Jim ain't young and supple enough to go on these trips with us himself," remarked Jud, complacently.
"He ten years younger than you," suggested Joe, slyly, who always delighted in teasing the old trapper about his age.
"Where do you get such stuff?" returned Jud, indignantly. "Jim Donegan's old enough to be my father—or my brother, anyway," he finished, staring sternly at his grinning guests.