"To tell the truth, I think myself in great good luck to get so much for my land here. When Uncle Dan left it to me I didn't suppose it was worth over two hundred dollars altogether, and I don't believe I could have got any more. You see it is very poor land to cultivate." "True enough, but the site was commanding. For the hotel company it is a good purchase." "I suppose it is, but nobody thought of a hotel being built at the time I inherited the land from my uncle. Probably he thought it worth little or nothing, for he didn't like me overmuch, and didn't care to do much for me." "Then it is better for you that he couldn't foresee the prospective value of his bequest. It might have led to an alteration in his will." "No doubt it would. When are the hotel folks goin' to build?" "They have got the cellar dug and the frame up already. Didn't you know that?" "No; I haven't been up that way." "Better go by it on your return. They would like to have had it ready for occupation this season, but they have begun too late for that. I understand that it may be thrown open for fall boarders if it should be completed by the middle of August." "What would Uncle Dan say if he were alive to see it?" "It would make the old man open his eyes, beyond a doubt. Now, Mr. Dunham, how will you receive this money? Shall I give you a check?" "No; I shouldn't know what to do with a check. I never received a check in my life," said Adin Dunham, shaking his head. All bank matters were unknown to the carpenter, except that he had once a small deposit in a savings bank, but he never could get rid of the fear that the bank would break, and he finally drew it out to get his mind at rest. "A check would be safer, I think," said the agent. "How can it be safer? The bank might break before I got the money." Thomas Marks smiled. "From what I know of the bank this is hardly likely, I think," he made answer. "However, I don't presume to advise. I mean that if you should lose the check, or have it stolen, it would not be a serious loss." "Why not?" "Because it will be made payable to your order, and unless indorsed by you, that is, with your signature written on the back, it would do the finder, or thief, no good." "I don't mean to lose it, and I am not likely to meet any robbers, though my wife and Squire Bates told me I must be careful." "Squire Bates told you that, did he?" "Yes." "He knows, then, that you are to receive this money to-day?" "Yes; I told him." "Did you tell any one else?" "No." "That is well. It is always best to be cautious in such cases; though I can hardly imagine, myself, that there could be any highway robbers in a quiet farming town like Waterford." "Just what I told my wife, Mr. Marks." "Then you will take the money in bills?" "Yes, sir, if you please." The agent went to a safe on the opposite side of the room, and opened it. "That's a queer sort of a cupboard, Mr. Marks," said Adin Dunham. The agent smiled.