n as Golden, the purchaser of your properties, can be found. He is
supposed to reside in Omaha, and it is known that he paid nearly three
million dollars for the property that now stands in his name. He paid
it to Mr. Jones in cash, too, and he paid every cent that the property
is worth."

"But he must be in existence somewhere," cried Brewster, in perplexity.
"How the devil could he pay the money if he doesn't exist?"

"I only know that no trace of the man can be found. They know nothing
of him in Omaha," said Grant, helplessly.

"So it has finally happened," said Brewster, but his excitement had
dropped. "Well," he added, throwing himself into a deep chair, "it was
always much too strange to be true. Even at the beginning it seemed
like a dream, and now--well, now I am just awake, like the little boy
after the fairy-tale. I seem like a fool to have taken it so seriously."

"There was no other way," protested Ripley, "you were quite right."

"Well, after all," continued Brewster, and the voice was as of one in a
dream, "perhaps it's as well to have been in Wonderland even if you
have to come down afterward to the ordinary world. I am foolish,
perhaps, but even now I would not give it up." Then the thought of
Peggy clutched him by the throat, and he stopped. After a moment he
gathered himself together and rose. "Gentlemen," he said sharply, and
his voice had changed; "I have had my fun and this is the end of it.
Down underneath I am desperately tired of the whole thing, and I give
you my word that you will find me a different man to-morrow. I am going
to buckle down to the real thing. I am going to prove that my
grandfather's blood is in me. And I shall come out on top."

Ripley was obviously moved as he replied, "I don't question it for a
moment. You are made of the right stuff. I saw that long ago. You may
count on us to-morrow for any amount you need."

Grant endorsed the opinion. "I like your spirit, Brewster," he said.
"There are not many men who would have taken this as well. It's pretty
hard on you, too, and it's a miserable wedding gift for your bride."

"We may have important news from Butte in the morning," said Ripley,
hopefully; "at any rate, more of the details. The newspapers will have
sensational stories no doubt, and we have asked for the latest
particulars direct from the authorities. We'll see that things are
properly investigated. Go home now, my boy, and go to bed. You will
begin to-morrow wi