arn that she had been
innocently harboring a criminal under her humble roof; but Frank soon
allayed her fears on that account.

He also told her how Sallie had consented to ride over to a neighbor to
send a telephone message for him, so that the good woman might not be
worried over her absence.

And now, having done what he considered his duty, Frank began to think
it might be the part of wisdom for himself and his cousin to consider
their own affairs, and make for the spot where their hydro-aeroplane
lay in the field.

"Oh! I do hope they are caught," said the farmer's wife. "Just to think
of that easy talking little man being a desperate criminal! I shall be
afraid to stay all alone in the house after this."

"Listen, Frank; somebody's shouting out there. What if both of those
yeggs are coming back to get us?"

Andy had clutched the sleeve of his cousin's coat when saying this; but
Frank did not need to be told that something like excitement was bearing
down upon them.

"Oh! it's Jerry, my husband!" exclaimed Mrs. Hoskins just then, "and he
seems to be dreadfully excited, too. Listen to him calling to me! I
wonder what could have happened. What if he's gone and cut himself
badly, always digging and making holes in the ground, since that silly
old fortune teller said he would find a mine on the farm. And here he
comes too!"

Just then a figure came staggering around the corner of the house. It
was the old farmer, plainly tremendously excited, and although weak and
almost out of breath from running, trying to tell her something.

"It's there, Jennie--found it, wife--ain't had all my work for nothin'
I tell you! A vein of hard coal, think, enough to make us all rich! D'ye
hear that, Jennie, girl, rich! Gimme a drink of water, for I'm nigh dead
from runnin' to tell you the great news. Who's these boys, wife? Where's
Sallie at?"

Frank would have liked very much to remain and hear the particulars of
the farmer's good luck in locating a vein of coal on his property; but
time would not permit. He only hoped Hoskins was not mistaken, for
traces of coal had been known to exist around that neighborhood for some
time, though up to now none had been found in paying quantities for
mining purposes.

"Come on, Andy, we'll have to be skipping out. Please tell your husband
all you know about what's happened, Mrs. Hoskins. Hope you have struck
it rich, sir."

With that Frank hurried off, Andy trailing behind. The farmer