od. Mamma says there was a time when they were quite poor, and
Mrs. Basswood had to do all her own work. Now they'll be able to take
it easy."

"Oh, they are far from poor," returned Dave. "They've been living on
'Easy Street,' as the saying goes, for a number of years. Just the
same, it will be a fine thing for them to get this fortune."

"There was one thing about the news that Ben didn't understand,"
continued Roger. "His father telegraphed that the estate was a
decidedly curious one, and that was why the lawyers wanted him to come
to Chicago immediately. He added that Mr. Enos had proved to be a very
eccentric individual."

"Maybe he was as eccentric as that man in Rhode Island I once read
about," said Dave, with a grin. "When he died he left an estate
consisting of about twelve thousand ducks. This estate went to two
worthless nephews, who knew nothing at all about their uncle's
business. And, as somebody said, the two nephews very soon made 'ducks
and drakes' of the whole fortune."

"Oh, what a story!" cried Jessie, laughing. "Twelve thousand ducks!
What ever would a person do with them?"

"Why, some duck farms are very profitable," returned Roger.

"You don't suppose this Mr. Enos left such a fortune as that to Mr.
Basswood?" queried Laura.

"I'm sure I don't know what the fortune consists of. And neither did
Ben. He was tremendously curious to know. And he said his mother could
hardly wait until Mr. Basswood sent additional information," replied
Roger.

"Ben told me that this Mr. Enos was once a partner of his father in
business, the two running an art store together. Enos was very much
interested in art; so it's possible the fortune he left may have
something to do with that," added Dave.

As my old readers know, Roger Morr had always thought a great deal of
Laura; and of late his liking for her had greatly increased. On her
part, Dave's sister had always considered the senator's son a very
promising young man. Consequently, it can well be imagined that the
four young people spent a most enjoyable time that evening in the
mansion. The girls played on the piano and all sang, and then some
rugs were pushed aside, a phonograph was brought into action, and they
danced a number of the latest steps, with the older folks looking on.

Roger was to remain over for several days at Crumville, and early the
next morning Dave asked his chum if he would accompany him on a hasty
trip to Coburntown. He had already