t, declaring that they certainly were, beyond a shadow of
doubt, the oldest existing specimens of Chinese _paper money!_

"And he added, moreover, that the British Museum had no specimens in its
possession as old as these, and declared that he believed the Museum
would be delighted to buy them, probably for three or four hundred pounds
apiece!"

The listening four gasped and stared at him incredulously, but he went on
undisturbed. "I said I would think the matter over and decide when I
reached England. But meantime, for reasons which I have already enlarged
upon, I have decided instead to give them to you, as a little testimonial
of my deep gratitude. If, by any chance, _you_ should decide that you
would prefer to have the money, I will attempt to negotiate the sale for
you when I reach London and--"

He got no further for, with a whoop of joy, Ted sprang forward and laid
his bit in Mr. Ramsay's lap and the others followed his example, striving
very inadequately to express their wonder and delight.

But he interrupted them, smilingly. "I should like to inquire, just as a
matter of curiosity, what form of investment each one of you expects to
make with the sum you receive? Don't think me too inquisitive please.
It's just an old man's curiosity!"

"I've decided already!" cried Eileen. "I'm going to spend mine on another
trip over here in the spring to visit you girls, and I'm going to bring
mother with me. I wouldn't have got here this time if it hadn't been for
Grandfather, for Daddy simply put his foot down and said he couldn't
afford it. And next year Grandfather may be in Timbuctoo or somewhere
like it, and I wouldn't have a chance. But I've just _got_ to see you all
again soon, for you're the best friends I ever made."

"And I'm going to save mine for some extra expensive courses in chemical
engineering in college that I never supposed I could afford to take,"
declared Ted. "I expected I'd have to go into business after I graduated,
for a year or two, till I scraped up enough, but now I can go right on."

"Of course, I'll get my music now," cried Phyllis, "and I'm the happiest
girl alive!"

"Well, it's hardly necessary for me to say that now little Ralph will
have his chance to be strong and well, like other boys," murmured Leslie,
tears of joy standing in her eyes.

Then, to ease the tension of the almost too happy strain, Mr. Ramsay
continued:

"But there is another member of this party that it would not