which you are required
to give Mrs. Stults half the gold you discover."

"I am willing to do that."

"Then if you will sign it, I will give you a copy of the map, and such
directions as the late Mr. Stults left. I must warn you that they are
not very clear, and, even with the aid of the map, many men have tried
to find the gold, but have failed."

"I may fail also," admitted Fred, "but I am going to try."

"That is the right spirit. I wish you all success."

The papers were signed, a duplicate being given Fred. Mrs. Stults
affixed her name, the lawyer put his down as a witness, and Fred
received a copy of the map, and some directions how to find the gold. He
glanced over the latter, and had to admit that they were rather vague.
He hoped, however, when he was on the scene, to make them available.

"I'll let you know when we start, Mrs. Stults," he said. "I can't tell
how soon I can get some men interested."

"Oh, dot's all right," replied the German widow. "It don't make so much
difference ven you vos start, as it does ven you comes back. Dot's vot
I vant to know--ven you comes back, mit der gold."

"Yes, that is the main part," added the lawyer. "Mrs. Stults has allowed
several persons to hunt for the gold, but, so far, not one has come
anywhere near finding it."

"Maybe I'll have better luck," said Fred, as he bade the lawyer and the
widow good-by, and took his departure for home.

He had been more successful than he dared to hope, in getting the map,
and his first thought was that he would use what little remaining money
he had, and ride as far on the railroad as it would take him. He wanted
to get home quickly with the news.

Then he reflected that there was no special hurry; that it would take
some little time to organize an expedition, and he would need all the
money he had. So he decided to walk back, taking his time, so as to
arrive in good condition.

But, unconsciously, perhaps, the thought of the treasure and the fact
that he was now in a position to start after it, quickened his steps,
and he made the return trip in much less time than he had spent on the
first half of his journey.

"Well, Fred!" exclaimed his father, as his son entered the house, "we
didn't expect you until to-morrow. I suppose you couldn't reach any
agreement with the widow, and had to come back."

"No, dad, I was successful."

"You don't mean to say she gave you the map?"

"Not exactly the map, but a copy of it, which