't know, sir."

"Hum. I'm glad you said that. I was afraid you might have an idea that
it was a million or more. I've heard all sorts of stories about the
Stults treasure, but I never took any stock in 'em. Now it begins to
look as if there was something in it. Tell me all you know about it."

Fred did so to the best of his ability, taking in from the time Mr.
Gardner first related the story to him to his interview with Mrs.
Stults.

"And you want me to finance the expedition, eh?" asked the old gold
hunter.

"My father hoped you might be willing to."

"What was your idea of how much my share should be in case we found the
gold, young man?"

"I hadn't thought of that. Of course Mrs. Stults will get her half."

"Yes. And how much would you get?"

"I'd be willing to leave that to you."

"You wouldn't want all the other half then?" asked Mr. Baxter, but, by
the smile on his face, Fred knew the old man was only joking.

"I'll leave it to you," he repeated.

"Hum. Well, I've been thinking this thing over in the last few minutes,
and I don't know but what I'll go in with you."

At these words Fred's heart gave a bound. He already saw himself
possessed of several thousand dollars, and his father and mother placed
beyond the necessity of worrying over money matters.

"Thank you!" he exclaimed.

"Wait a bit," advised Mr. Baxter. "I haven't finished. I am willing to
finance the expedition and go after the gold. I think I'll take my son
Jerry along, and we'll need another man, or maybe two."

"Can't I go?" asked Fred, fearing he was to be left behind.

"Yes, I am coming to that. You can go along, and your share will be
one-third of half the treasure."

"I'm satisfied with that."

"It may seem that I am taking the larger part," went on Mr. Baxter, "but
that is not so. It will cost quite a sum to fit out the expedition, and
then there is the risk of failure. If we find the gold we will set aside
one-half for the widow of the man who hid it. The remainder we will
divide into three parts, and you shall have one. I calculate another
third will pay for the expedition, and cover my expenses and the hire of
whatever men I may have to engage. That will leave one-third clear for
me, so, you see, I am really going shares with you. Is that
satisfactory?"

"Indeed it is, Mr. Baxter."

"I am glad you think so. Of course, there is a big risk involved. We may
fit out an expensive expedition and end up in failure. But I a