l because
there was too much going on. Now I am going to tell you everything and
also tell you what I propose to do. But first I want to listen to what
you have to tell me."

It did not take the three boys long to relate the particulars of the
pursuit of Cuffer and Shelley, and of what they had overheard at the
old mill. Anderson Rover listened with close attention and did not seem
surprised when they mentioned Sid Merrick's name.

"That fits in, to a certain degree, with what I have to tell you," he
said, when they had finished. "It is a strange story, and the only way
for me to do, so that it will be perfectly clear to you, is to tell it
from the beginning."

"Well, we're willing enough to listen," said Dick, with a smile.

"We've been on pins and needles ever since you said you had something
important to tell," added Tom, grinning.

"Well, to start, this concerns Mrs. Stanhope more than it concerns
ourselves," began the father.

"What!" ejaculated Dick. He had not expected anything of this sort.

"I knew you would be surprised, Dick, and you'll be more surprised when
I get through."

"Are the Lanings in this?" questioned Sam, thinking of Grace.

"They are in a certain sense--or will be if everything turns out
successfully. When Mr. Stanhope died he left most of his property to
Mrs. Stanhope and Dora--the majority to Dora--but a small share was
left to the Lanings, they being so closely related and such good
friends."

"But what is it all about?" asked Tom, impatiently.

"As I said before, I must start at the beginning, or perhaps you won't
understand at all. As you know, Mr. Stanhope died some years ago. He
was interested in various business enterprises, including a number of
vessels which carried freight between the United States and the West
Indies. One of his partners in the freight-carrying business was a man
named Robertson and another was a Silas Merrick."

"Merrick!" cried Sam.

"Yes, and this Silas Merrick was an older brother to Sid Merrick, the
rascal who stole the bonds, and whom you heard mentioned by Cuffer and
Shelley. Let me say here that Silas Merrick is dead, and when he died
he left all his property to his brother Sidney and his sister. The
sister is dead, too, and her property, so I understand, went to her
son. Tad Sobber."

"This is getting deep," said Tom, his sunny face growing wrinkled.

"It will soon get deeper, Tom. During the time that the firm of
Stanhope, Robertson & Me