s fingers. "If these honest people
believe Mr. Toodleburg knows where the money is buried, why, sir,
there's your solid basis for a grand joint stock company, dividends
twenty per cent., payable quarterly. That's what takes. God bless me,
Mr. Toodleburg, here's a fortune in your fingers. Capable heads, sir,
and capable hands. There's all, sir, that is required to give the thing
popularity and insure its success." Mr. Topman paused for a moment,
threw himself back in his chair, and cast a patronizing glance at Hanz.
"Progressive idea, sir. Grand Kidd Discovery Company. Capital one
hundred thousand dollars, all paid in. The man fortunate enough to get
twenty shares is sure to make a fortune."

"Den if he pe so grand, why you don't make all de fortune, and keep him
yourshelf?" said Hanz, rubbing his head and dropping his pipe.

"Having the secret," resumed Mr. Topman, blandly, "of course you are
indispensable to the success of the enterprise. Think of it, sleep over
it, and I am sure, sir, you will wake up in the morning resolved to
place yourself in the hands of Topman and Gusher." Mr. Topman made
another pause, and threw his hands over his head. "No matter whether you
have the secret or not. Stick to it that you have; and refer your men
to Topman and Gusher."

Again Hanz shook his head, and smoked his pipe thoughtfully. The whole
thing was new and strange to him. Never in his life before had anything
taken him by such surprise. He had enough to carry him through the world
comfortably, and something to give his poor neighbors when they stood in
need. Why should he trouble his head about Mr. Kidd. He did not know
where a dollar of his money was buried.

"Mine friends," said Hanz, "I likes you poth. And I thanks you, and ish
much opliged to you for dis offer to makes my fortune. But, what I do
mit sho much moneys, eh? My neighbors all say 'Hanz Toodleburg steals
him,' Maybe I gits prout mit him. Den everypody says Hanz Toodleburg
gits apove his pisness. Mit a fortune perhaps t'tivel gits into mine
head. Der ish nopody now put me und mine Angeline--"

"There's your son, Mr. Toodleburg," interposed Chapman, who until now
had remained almost passive. "You ought to regard him above everything
else, you ought. I feel a deep interest in that young man, you know. If
you could have a fortune for him when he comes home--well, that would be
the making of him."

"Shure enough, dere ish mine poor poy, Tite. He ish such a goot poy