no right to go after the treasure.
It belongs to the widow of Stults."

"I would have a right to search for it, if she gave me permission, as
she has others."

"Yes, but you do not know her, and I doubt if any one knows where she
is. No, Fred, it is out of the question."

Fred drew something from his pocket.

"I admit it may be impossible for me to go after the treasure," he said,
"but part of the objections can be overcome. I know where Mrs. Stults is
now, and I have a letter of introduction to her," and he showed the
epistle given him by Mr. Gardner.

CHAPTER V

MRS. STULTS CONSENTS

Fred's announcement took his parents completely by surprise. Mr. Stanley
extended his hand for the letter, and read it over slowly.

"That ought to get you a hearing, at any rate," he said at length. "I
understand that Old Bill Gardner is quite well acquainted with the widow
of the man who buried the fortune to save it from the Alaskan Indians.
But, Fred, don't build your hopes too high. I don't see how you are
going to get to Denville, and, even if Mrs. Stults should consent to
allow you to hunt for the treasure, how are you going to do it?"

"I thought I might get some of your friends interested, father, and we
could form an expedition to go to Alaska."

"But that will take considerable money."

"So it does to start a mine, and this is just as sure as a mine is."

"I admit that. But whom could you get?"

"I thought you might be able to propose some one. You see, father,
there is no use of me staying around here. There is no work to be had in
Piddock, and if I have to go off some distance to look for a job, I
might as well go a little farther, and hunt for the treasure."

"But Alaska is a good way off."

"Not so very far."

"You'd think so, if you had to walk," added his mother. "Besides, Fred,
I hate to think of you going off to that terrible place."

"But think of it, mother! I might come home with a fortune in gold! Then
you wouldn't have to work any more, and dad could have better treatment,
so he would get well."

Fred spoke earnestly, and there were tears in the eyes of his father and
mother at his words. He wanted so much to help them, yet he could do so
little.

"It might be done," said Mr. Stanley, musingly, after a pause. "I
suppose I could talk to some old miners I know, and get them interested.
They place a good deal of confidence in me, and they would believe
anything Old Bill Gardner said.