e those papers?"

"Certainly."

"Perhaps you are my son, Joe?"

"Perhaps I am, sir."

They went to the hotel, and the documents were produced. Then William
Bodley brought out some letters he possessed. Man and boy went over
everything with care.

"You must be my son!" cried William Bodley. "Thank heaven you are
found!" And they shook hands warmly.

He told Joe to move over to the cabin, and our hero did so. It was
a neat and clean place and soon Joe felt at home. Then he heard his
father's tale in detail--an odd and wonderful story--of great trials and
hardship.

"There will always be something of a mystery about this," said William
Bodley. "But, no matter, so long as I have you with me."

"Uncle Hiram was a queer stick," answered Joe. "I suppose if he was
alive he could explain many things." And in this Joe was correct.

Let us add a few words more and then draw our tale to a close.

When Joe told Maurice Vane how he had found a father the gentlemen was
much astonished. So were the Badgers, but all were glad matters had
ended so well.

It was found that William Bodley's mine was a valuable one. The ore in
it was about equal to the ore in the mine owned by Maurice Vane, and
this was likewise equal to that in the mine run by Mr. Badger.

After some conversation on the subject it was agreed by all the
interested parties to form a new company, embracing all the mines.
Of the shares of this new concern, one-third went to Maurice Vane,
one-third to the Badgers, and one-third to William Bodley and Joe. The
necessary machinery was duly installed, and to-day the new company is
making money fast.

On the day after his trouble with Mr. Bodley, Bill Butts disappeared
from town. But a week later he was arrested in Denver and sent to jail
for two years for swindling a ranchman.

During the following summer Joe received a visit from his old friend
Ned, and the two boys had a delightful time together. In the meantime
Joe spent half of his time at the mine and half over his books, for he
was determined to get a good education.

For a long time William Bodley had been in feeble health, but with the
coming of Joe on the scene he began to mend rapidly, and was soon as
hale and hearty as anybody. He was an expert miner, and was made general
superintendent for the new company.

To-day Joe has a good education and is rich, but come what may, it is
not likely that he will forget those days when he was known as "Joe the
H