Jasniff, and turned over a new leaf, and he
resolved then and there that, come what might, he would never again
turn aside from the path of right and honor.

"Say, why don't you listen to my story?" pleaded Shadow, and then
related a somewhat rambling tale of a man who had changed his name
and, later on, lost some property because of it.

Another day slipped by and it was one of particular interest to Dave
and Roger, for in the morning they made up the last of the back
lessons imposed upon them by Job Haskers. They had done exceedingly
well, but the harsh teacher gave them little credit. Phil and Ben had
still three days' work, but Professor Haskers said nothing of this.

"He doesn't dare," declared the shipowner's son.

"That's right," chuckled Ben. "We could give him a good black eye
before this whole school if we wanted to."

Dave had already finished up the back lessons for the other teachers,
so he was now free to spend his time on what was ahead of him. He was
as enthusiastic as ever to make a record for himself, and pitched in
with a will, and his enthusiasm was caught by Roger, who also resolved
to do his best.

"Whoop! hurrah! What do you think of this?" came from Phil, late one
afternoon, after the mail had been distributed. "Somebody hold me
down! I guess I'm going to fly! Or maybe I'm only dreaming!" And he
began to caper around gayly.

"What is it all about, Phil?" asked Dave. "Hit your funny-bone?"

"Money, boys, money! That's what it is about," replied the shipowner's
son. "I've got five thousand dollars, all my own!"

"Five thousand dollars!" gasped Buster.

"All your own?" queried Gus Plum.

"Where did you get it?" asked another.

"Why, it's this way," answered Phil, when he could calm down a
little. "About two years ago a great-uncle of mine died, leaving
considerable money. He was interested in various enterprises and his
death brought on legal complications and some litigation. He left his
money to a lot of heirs, including myself. My father and I never
thought we'd get anything--thought the lawyers and courts would
swallow it all. But now it seems that it has been settled, and yours
truly gets five thousand dollars in cash."

"When do you get it, Phil, right away?" asked Buster.

"Well,--er--I, of course, don't get it until I am of age. It's to go
in the bank."

"Oh!"

"Won't you get any of it until then?" asked Shadow. "Your dad might
let you have a little, just to celebrate---