stuff in you, Bob. I'll let Perkins hear what you
said. And now, sit down, and tell me all about your trip, beginning at
New York."

Amazed that so important a man should evince interest enough in him to
devote the time necessary to relate his story, Bob sank into the
comfortable chair indicated by Mr. Nichols and began.

At first he was embarrassed, but with the kindly words now and then
uttered by the vice-president, he regained his composure.

When the recital was ended, Mr. Nichols thrummed upon his desk for
several minutes, and then asked:

"What would you like most in the world, Bob?"

Scarcely hesitating an instant, the boy replied:

"To prove that Len Dardus did not tell the truth when he said my father
was crazy because father wrote me he had entrusted five thousand dollars
to him for my education."

The expression that spread over Mr. Nichols' face as he heard this wish
clearly showed surprise, for he had expected that, boy-like, Bob would
have requested money, a rifle, or the like, and again he thrummed the
table before saying:

"We will prove it, if we can, my boy. What was your father's name?"

"Horace Chester."

"Where was your letter written from--I mean the one telling you of the
money?"

"Red Top, Oklahoma."

Swinging in his chair, the vice-president drew out a slide from his desk
on which was a map and scanned it eagerly.

All at once, with an ejaculation of surprise, he murmured:

"This is remarkable--remarkable!"

Unable to restrain his curiosity, Bob rose from his chair and approached
till he could see the map. But this afforded him no reason for his
friend's observation, and he asked:

"What is remarkable, sir?"

"Why, that you should have chosen to go to Fairfax. Red Top is the next
town, thirty miles west!"

"O--oh! Then I may find out something about father!" exclaimed Bob
excitedly.

"Exactly. But you must be careful. If he really had the money, he may
have possessed other property which is being withheld from you. In that
case, should the interested persons learn that Horace Chester's son was
in Fairfax something might happen to you."

The last words were uttered so significantly that Bob could not fail to
understand Mr. Nichols' meaning, and when the latter continued, "I want
you to promise me you will call yourself Bob Nichols till I have learned
the truth of this matter," the boy solemnly consented.

"Good! Not only is it for your own safety, but it will enable y