inquired Denmead.

"If you've no objections, sir."

"None at all, my boy, as long as you can help your friend. You must
ask him to visit us in camp when he has time."

"I will, I will!" exclaimed Tom. "I know he'd enjoy it."

"And if this surveying scheme of yours---or was it Ralph's?"

"Both, sir. At least, we talked it over together."

"If it can be carried out, and if the railroad will buy part of
Ralph's farm, he will be able to go to the School of Mines?"

"Yes, sir, that's what he wants to do. You don't think, then, that
there's any chance of finding iron ore on the property?"

"How should I know? Stranger things than that have happened, Tom."

Talking thus, they reached the hotel. Denmead was immediately
surrounded by his troop of scouts, to whom he introduced the new
recruits, and presently they all fell to discussing plans for
the summer.

As the afternoon waned, Tom made ready to drive back to the farmhouse,
declaring that he knew the way perfectly, and even if he didn't,
old Keno wouldn't make any mistakes. Arthur decided to stay with
the others at the hotel, but Tom did not mind this at all, being