"I don't think much of the boat myself," said Dean, smiling. "I've seen those I liked better." Dean went home, and attended to various chores. About four o'clock that afternoon Mrs. Dunham began to look for her husband. "It's time your Uncle Adin was at home," she said. "I suppose his business kept him longer than he expected." Just then Mr. Gould entered the yard. He looked excited and anxious. "Dean," he said, "something's happened to your uncle. My horse just ran into my yard with the empty buggy." Dean turned pale. "What shall we do? he asked. "Come with me. We'll go back over the road, and see if we can find him. Not a word to your aunt! We don't want to make her anxious." CHAPTER V. ADIN DUNHAM RECEIVES HIS MONEY. Adin Dunham's ride to Rockmount had been uneventful. He went at once to the real estate office of Thomas Marks, the agent through whom the sale had been effected. When he entered the office it was with a light step and a joyful look, for it was on a very agreeable errand he had come. Mr. Marks was seated at his desk, and looked up as Dunham entered. "I thought you wouldn't fail to come, Mr. Dunham," he said with a smile. "If it were to pay money, there might have been some question of it, but a man doesn't generally miss an appointment to receive a payment of a thousand dollars." "That's so, Mr. Marks, I've been looking forward to this day." "I've no doubt of it. I suppose such occasions are rare with you." "This is the first time I was ever lucky enough to receive a large sum of money. I can hardly believe I am so rich. You, see, Mr. Marks, I am a poor man, and always have been. I inherited the place where I live from my father, but no money to speak of." "Is the place clear?" "No; it is mortgaged for eight hundred dollars." "Who holds the mortgage?" "Squire Bates, of our village." "I know him. He is the man with very prominent teeth." "Yes." "Is he a rich man?" "We all think so, but he keeps his affairs very close." "Don't the assessors know?" "He says most of his property is in government bonds, and these are not taxable, you know." "To be sure." "I don't know how it is," said the agent, thoughtfully, "but I don't like that man." "He is always obligin' enough to me. Last time I made him wait a week for the interest, but he did not complain." "I suppose he felt sure of getting it. How much interest do you pay?" "Seven per cent." "You ought only to pay six. You will find it hard to get more than that for your money. Shall you pay the mortgage with the money I am to pay you?" "I did think of it, but the squire doesn't seem to care for me to do it. He says he can find a good investment for me." "At what price do you value your house and land?" "I don't suppose I could get over two thousand dollars for it." "That would leave you twelve hundred after the mortgage is paid." "Yes. If I pay it off with this thousand, there would be two hundred dollars left over." "Exactly."