ve you one? Why, you don't expect to have a try for it; do you?"

"I don't know," replied the boy seriously. "I would like to talk to my
father about it. But I have another scheme in mind. If I had a letter to
Mrs. Stults, she might be able to tell me where I could get work. I
believe you said she had an interest in some mines."

"She has, and she might be able to get you a place. I did not think of
that. But Denville is quite a way off."

"Well, I may have to go quite a distance before I can get a job."

"All right. Wait a few minutes and I'll write you a letter of
introduction to Mrs. Stults. She is rather a peculiar German woman,
slow-going, and she doesn't make her mind up in a hurry."

"Then I will give her plenty of time to consider matters, Mr. Gardner."

In a little while, charged with messages of remembrance to his father,
and bearing the letter of introduction to the widow, Fred was on his way
home. He stepped out at a quick pace, for in spite of his long walk that
morning he did not feel tired, as he was busy thinking of a certain
matter.

You have probably guessed that it was the buried treasure, though Fred
had only the most hazy notion where it was, and he knew that it was
almost entirely out of the question for him to go in search of it.
Nevertheless, as do all lads, he had hopes, and it was these hopes which
made the way seem short to him, so that he did not mind the long
mountain trail.

"Well, Fred, any luck?" asked his father, when he got home, about dusk.

"No, dad," yet the answer was not given in a despondent tone.

"I was afraid you wouldn't have. A new digging is usually quickly
overrun with miners, and there are two applicants for every place."

Fred described the incidents of the day, and gave his father the message
from Mr. Gardner.

"Yes, I remember him very well," said the miner. "He was a peculiar
man."

"He is yet," and Fred told of the various names applied to the little
donkey.

"That's just like Old Bill Gardner," commented Mr. Stanley.

"You'll not have to go without your supper, Fred," said his mother,
coming in at that moment. "I have a nice meal for you."

"That's good. I have a fine appetite."

"I'm glad of it. Mrs. Robinson paid me more for the sewing than I
expected, and I got a little treat for you. I made some tapioca pudding.
We haven't had any in a long time."

"That's so, mother, but I can get along without it."

"You'll not have to, to-night."

Mr.