I. Dick is in a Hurry 1 II. A Strange Will 12 III. Uncle Ezra Threatens 20 IV. Dick Becomes Celebrated 34 V. Dick Aids Henry 44 VI. A Trip to New York 50 VII. A Sharper Foiled 59 VIII. Dick and the Reporter 69 IX. A Circus Comes to Town 79 X. Dick Invests in Happiness 85 XI. Hank Darby in Business 96 XII. Gold Mine Stock 105 XIII. Dick's Brave Act 114 XIV. Dick Gives a Party 125 XV. The Conspiracy 135 XVI. Dick Turns Detective 141 XVII. Grit's Revenge 150 XVIII. Uncle Ezra's Visit 156 XIX. The Fresh-Air Youngsters 164 XX. Tim's Disclosure 173 XXI. In Which Mr. Vanderhoof Vanishes 183 XXII. Off for the West 189 XXIII. At the Mines 197 XXIV. A Night Trip 205 XXV. Down in a Gold Mine 215 XXVI. Simon's Confession 223 XXVII. The Panic 232 XXVIII. Henry in Trouble 242 XXIX. The Flying Machine 249 XXX. A Disastrous Flight 256 XXXI. Good News--Conclusion 264 DICK HAMILTON'S FORTUNE CHAPTER I DICK IS IN A HURRY "Here comes Dick Hamilton!" exclaimed a flashily-dressed youth to his companion, no less gaily attired, as the two stood in front of a building from which sounded a peculiar clicking noise. "So it is, Guy," was the answer. "Let's get him into a game. Maybe I can win a little money. I need it, for I'm nearly dead broke." "I thought you always had all the cash you wanted, Simon," remarked Guy Fletcher, with something like a sneer in his voice. "I know I loaned you some the other day." "Do you think that lasted until now?" inquired Simon Scardale, glancing down at his patent leather shoes. "I'm short of ready money now, and if we can get your friend Hamilton into a game of billiards I think I can beat him." "He's no friend of mine," returned Guy, with a short laugh. "He isn't my kind, even if his father is a millionaire." "That's the main reason why you ought to cultivate his acquaintance," returned Simon. "It pays to keep in with such fellows. But here he is. Let me do the talking. You needn't play if you don't want to." The two boys, who in spite of their fine clothes, did not have an air of good breeding, watched the approach of Dick Hamilton as he sauntered down the main street of the town that pleasant afternoon late in June.