ne," answered our hero, modestly.

"Things have taken a sudden change since I saw you last summer," went on
Maurice Vane. "Perhaps it will be as well if I tell my whole story."

"I'd like first rate to hear it."

"After I got those shares of stock I felt that I had been swindled, and
I was very anxious to get hold of the rascals. But as time went on and
I could not locate them I resolved to look into the deal a little more
minutely and see if there was any chance of getting my money, or a
portion of it, back."

"I should have done the same."

"I wrote to a friend out West and he put me in communication with a
mining expert who set to work to find out all about the mine. The expert
sent me word, late in the fall, that the mine was, in his opinion,
located on a vein of gold well worth working."

"What did you do then?"

"I wanted to go West at once and look into the matter personally, but an
aunt died and I had to settle up her estate and see to the care of her
two children, and that held me back. Then winter came on, and I knew I'd
have to let matters rest until spring."

"Are you going out there in the spring?"

"Yes,--as early as possible, too."

"I hope you find the mine a valuable one, Mr. Vane."

"I place great reliance on what the mining expert said, for he is known
as a man who makes no mistakes."

"Then, if the mine proves of value, you'll have gotten a cheap piece of
property after all."

"Yes, indeed."

"Won't those swindlers be mad when they hear of this!"

"Most likely, my lad; but they have nobody to blame but themselves. I
bought their shares in good faith, while they sold them in bad faith."

"Is your title perfectly clear now?"

"Absolutely so."

"Then I hope the mine proves to be worth millions."

"Thank you, my boy."

"I'd like to own a mine like that myself."

"Would you? Well, perhaps you will some day."

"It's not likely. A hotel boy doesn't earn enough to buy a mine," and
our hero laughed.

"If I find the mine worth working and open up for business, how would
you like to go out there and work for me?"

"I'd like it very much, Mr. Vane."

"Very well, I'll bear that in mind," answered the possessor of the
mining shares.

"Why don't you buy up the rest of the mining shares first?"

"I am going to do so--if I can locate them."

"Perhaps the owners will sell cheap."

"I shall explain the situation and make a fair offer. I do not believe
in any underhand work," was t