might happen," added Thad, as though an idea had come into
his brain like an electric flash, "that another opportunity will come
along, and if it does, I give you my word I'll learn something worth
while."

"How did you like the old gentleman," continued Hugh; "and after
meeting him, do you take any stock in the stories that have been
floating around town about his being the clever rascal who disappeared
from Wall Street two years ago?"

"Why, he seemed very pleasant, so far as I could see," replied Thad,
slowly. "Course I don't pretend to be a smart enough reader of human
nature to say positively that old Mr. Dugdale is all to the good; but
he is well read, and I seemed to see what looked like a twinkle in the
corners of his eyes as though he might have a fair sense of humor in
his make-up."

"He liked you, too, didn't he, Thad?" continued Hugh.

"Well, to be honest with you, I really believe the old gentleman did
act a little that way. Perhaps, it was because he'd heard Owen mention
my name as one of his few friends; and Mr. Dugdale was wanting to show
how pleased he felt to know me. Yes, he acted as if he would like to
see me again; in fact, he asked me to come in some time, and visit Owen
in his den, for the boy often seemed lonely, he told me."

"Poor Owen! let's hope this will all come out right in the end, then,"
Hugh finally said, as though his own mind was made up not to allow the
latest discovery to influence him against the Dugdale boy.

"But we've got to admit," added the other, seriously, "that it adds to
the tangle a heap, and makes it look worse than before. However, I'll
try and learn a thing or two. Give me a little, time to get my slow
wits working, Hugh; and I may have more news for you. All the same, it
wouldn't surprise me if you took a spurt and came in across the line
ahead of me."

"Whatever makes you say that?" demanded Hugh.

"Oh! I know you so well, that's all," laughed his chum, giving him a
nudge in the side with his elbow. "I wager the chances are ten to one
you're beginning to turn over a little scheme in your mind right now.
How about that, Hugh?"

"If I am," retorted the other, "I don't intend telling you the first
thing about it until there's some solid foundation for the theory to
rest on."

"Same here," chuckled Thad, with a wink that had a deal of significance
about it, Hugh could see. "Mebbe I've got a whiff of an idea myself
that might turn out worth while; bu