I had gone to bed, some mean cuss, a thief, got into the house,
attacked Ralph---who's one of the best fellows on earth, boys---and
stole some money Ralph had been saving. In the tussle we managed
to grab a piece of his coat and his tie, and we've come over to
put them in the hands of the Oakvale constable, to see if he can
identify them."

"Good for you, Tom! Tell us about the fight!"

"Oh, it wasn't much of a fight," Tom evaded. "But first I want
to know how many of you fellows would like to make up some surveying
parties---four in each crew---and offer your services to the B.N.
and C. Railroad to help survey Ralph's land. We can do it, you
know, as assistants to the railroad's regular surveyors, and perhaps
we can show them that it would be better to buy part of Ralph's
property for their loop line than to buy any of his neighbor's, old
Silas Perkins. And, if we can do this, why, it'll be the greatest
thing ever for Ralph, because he's a good sort, and he wants to go
to college, and he'll-----"

Tom paused for breath. Enthusiasm for his friend and interest in
Ralph's ambition to get an education had carried him beyond the
limit of his usual brief remarks. Such a long speech was a surprise
to himself as well as to his auditors. They listened attentively,
and not a few among them caught the spirit of the plan.

"D'you think the Chief'll let us do it?" asked one. "You know,
we're due in camp by the first of next week."

"Oh, I think he will. You know he has already promised to give us