“Nine millions!” gasped Vance, who was astonished at the sum, although he was accustomed to move in a business atmosphere where transactions involving millions were a common occurrence. “Exactly--nine millions,” nodded Bradhurst, enjoying his young acquaintance’s amazement. “So you see you saved the life of a man actually worth $11,000,000 in cash and securities. If my head had been smashed by that truck those millions would have had no further interest for me. While every man’s life is presumed to be his most precious possession, mine has more than a usual value.” “I should think it had,” said the boy, regarding his new friend with a fresh interest. “Under these circumstances, Thornton, you will understand that if I presented you with a couple of millions in consideration of what you have done for me I shouldn’t be doing any too much to express my gratitude, and I should still have more money on my hands than I could ever reasonably hope to spend.” “I hope you don’t think of doing such a foolish thing as that,” said Vance, not a little disturbed at the mere idea of being presented with such an enormous sum. Perhaps the average person would have entertained different views on the subject, but then Vance Thornton was young, and had imbibed the idea that a man ought to earn in a legitimate way all that he acquires. He had full confidence in his own powers to accumulate a million or two within the next few years, as soon as he got well in harness. Perhaps he was right. Many a young man has been ruined, not only financially, but morally, by getting next to a fortune without the necessity of earning it. Mr. Bradhurst possibly neglected to think of that side of the question, for he said, with a smile: “Why not?” “Because I wouldn’t accept what I haven’t earned,” replied the boy stoutly. The western man regarded him with an amused smile. All the same, he began to look upon the lad with a new and increased respect. “Well,” he said in an altered tone, “we’ll defer the discussion of such a thing to another time. As a matter of fact, my life, which you have presented to me, I may say, is worth more than two millions. In fact, it is quite beyond any financial value. Will you permit me to bestow on you in return for it a lifelong friendship?” There was no doubting the feeling which actuated those words. “I shall be only too glad to accept that,” replied Vance, his strong, young face lighting up with pleasure. “It’s a bargain,” said Bradhurst, extending his hand. “Shake on it.” Vance grasped his big brown hand, and with that handclasp the glittering goddess of fortune hovered for an instant over the boy’s head and touched him with the point of one of her golden wings. “I hope I haven’t talked you to death, Thornton,” said the man from the golden West, rising and slapping the lad familiarly on the back; “but as it is lunch hour, I think we may as well go down to the dining-room and have a bite.”