ily, and they found plenty
with which to occupy their hands and minds.

Of course, all about the lighthouse was new to Ross, and he spent a good
many hours exploring its delightful mysteries under the guidance of
Lester and Mr. Lee himself, who had taken an instant liking to this new
addition to his household and had given him a most cordial welcome, not
only on his own account, but on account of his romantic story, which had
appealed strongly to the old man's fancy and sympathy.

Bill busied himself with overhauling and getting into first-class shape
his fishing paraphernalia, and discharged a neglected duty in writing a
long letter to his mother, filled with enthusiastic descriptions of the
glorious times he was having, and dwelling most, as may be imagined, on
the hooking of the shark the day before.

Fred and Teddy had been delighted to find letters waiting them from the
family at home, including one from their Uncle Aaron. They pounced upon
the letters eagerly. That from their mother, to which their father had
added a few lines as postscript, was full of pride at Fred's exploit and
delight at the prospect opened up of being useful to their uncle in case
they found the missing gold.

Teddy tore open the letter which bore the precise handwriting of his
uncle with a broad grin on his face.

"Just think, Fred, of opening a letter from Uncle Aaron that doesn't
contain a scolding!" he exclaimed.

"Don't be too sure," laughed Fred. "Perhaps he'll scold you for not
having found the chest, instead of telling him you hoped to find it.
Hello, what's that?" as a blue slip fluttered out from the envelope and
fell to the floor.

Teddy was on it like a hawk.

"Glory, hallelujah!" he yelled, as he capered around the floor, waving
the paper in the air. "It's a money order for fifty dollars."

"Fifty dollars!" cried his brother in amazement. "Do you mean to say
that Uncle Aaron has loosened up as much as that? You must be crazy."

"Straight goods," replied Teddy. "Look for yourself."

Fred scanned the paper. There was no mistake.

"I take back what I said about your being crazy," Fred remarked, as he
handed the money order back, "but if you're not, Uncle Aaron is. He must
have had a sudden attack of enlargement of the heart."

He looked over Teddy's shoulder and they read the letter together. It
was written in their uncle's customary style, except that it was
tinctured with a more cordial feeling than he usually displ