“That settles it,” thought the boy. “He’s crazy, sure.” “Why don’t you sell them to somebody that’s got the money to pay for them. You look as if you needed the cash,” said Jack, aloud. “Nobody will buy them,” replied Tuggs, sadly. “Why not?” “I don’t know.” “They can’t have a market value, then.” “The company says they’re worth ten cents a share. I paid three cents for them more than a year ago.” “Perhaps the company’ll buy them in, then,” suggested Jack. “I don’t know. Their office is in Denver.” “Why don’t you write to the company?” “I want some money now--to-day. I haven’t a cent to pay my room rent or get something to eat,” wailed the old man. “Well, here’s a half a dollar for you; that’ll see you through till to-morrow.” “You’re very kind. I’m afraid I sha’n’t live long. I’d like to sell you this stock cheap. There’s five thousand shares, and you can have it for a hundred dollars, or even fifty, if you haven’t so much as that. Some day it will be valuable. It’s selling for ten cents a share to-day; that makes the shares worth five hundred dollars.” “I’m afraid I can’t buy them,” said Jack, shaking his head. “It’s a pity,” mumbled Tuggs. “You’re losing the chance of your life.” “Well, I’ll tell you what I’ll do for you. Come up to our office and leave the certificates. I’ll give you a receipt for them. Then I’ll ask our manager what he thinks they’re worth as a speculation. He knows a good deal about Western mines. If they’re worth anything, perhaps the firm will take them off your hands or I can get somebody to buy them.” Just then Jack spied Oliver Bird coming out of his office. “Wait a moment,” he said. “Maybe I can find out about them now. Here’s a broker I’m acquainted with. I’ll let him see them.” So the messenger boy darted up to Mr. Bird, who was glad to see him and shook him cordially by the hand. “I wish you’d tell me, Mr. Bird, if this stock is worth anything,” said Jack. The broker took the certificates and glanced at them. “One of those wild-cat mines advertised in the daily press to catch fools,” said the gentleman, handing them back. “Then you wouldn’t advise me to invest fifty dollars in these five thousand shares?” “Hardly, Jack. Still, fifty dollars isn’t much to risk, and it is always possible for one of these mines, which are floated on the reputation of rich ore leads in their neighborhood, to turn up a winner. If you can get these shares for fifty dollars and can afford to invest that amount on a one-hundred-to-one shot, as I should call it, why, it’s better than many investments I know of.” “Thank you, sir. They belong to that old man yonder, who has been ruined on the market. He was rich once, but he caught the Street fever, and Hartz, on Exchange Place, has been his doctor--I should say, broker,” grinned the boy. Bird’s face clouded at the mention of Hartz’s name.