rom home. They began
to run, and in a short time they came to iron rails running north and
south through the snowy forest. Following up the line, they found
themselves at Ringwood, three stations north of Waverley, where they
had gone in.

The next train took them down to that point, and they went back to the
hotel, recovered their suit-cases, and put on town clothes again. It
seemed a long time since they had passed that way before, and collars
and cuffs were hard to wear. A great many curious eyes followed them
about the little hotel.

"Find any gold?" the landlord asked them, in an offhand manner.

"No," said Maurice. If he had inquired about diamonds, the boys would
have been puzzled what to say.

For the last time they packed their dunnage sacks on the battered
toboggan, and shipped it to the city. They traveled on the same train
themselves, and were in Toronto the next morning.

The boys parted with hearty farewells--Maurice going home, Macgregor to
his rooms, and Horace accompanying Fred to his boarding-house, where he
intended to find quarters for himself.

"And now for the great question!" said Horace, when they were once
indoors. "Are the diamonds worth anything, or are they not? I can't
think of anything else till I find out."

"Why, I thought you were sure--" began Fred.

"So I am--in a general sort of way. But I'm not a diamond expert, and
I may be deceived. It's just possible that the things may not be real
diamonds at all.

"But don't worry," he added, seeing his brother's startled face. "I'm
pretty sure they 're all right. But I'm going to take them at once to
Wilson & Keith's and get them appraised. They're the best diamond firm
in the city, and they'll treat me honestly."

Horace dressed himself very carefully, took his little sack of jewels,
and departed. He was gone fully three hours, and Fred waited in almost
sickening impatience. At last he heard Horace's step on the stairs,
and rushed out to meet him.

"What luck?" he cried eagerly.

"S-sh!" said Horace, drawing him back into the room. "It's all right.
They're diamonds!"

"Hurrah!" Fred shouted wildly.

"They were awfully keen to know where I got them, but of course I
wouldn't tell, except that it was in Ontario. They would have bought
the lot, I think, but I wasn't anxious to sell at once. They wanted me
to make a price, and I wanted them to make an offer, and both of us
were afraid, I guess. However, they're