"But mother always laughed at the idea that there would be any wealth coming to us from the Klondike. She said the only precious legacy we could claim in the gold-fields of Alaska was the untiring energy and earnestness Uncle was sure to use wherever he went or whatever he did. But she wrote to the postmaster at Nome and received word that her brother was dead. "Gail was always delicate, and a year after her mother died, she, too, took sick and was gone in a week's time. So mother tried to forget her dear brother after these sad experiences, and it is only at rare intervals that any one mentions his name to her." When Kenneth finished telling his story, Polly asked eagerly: "But you haven't told us your uncle's name--nor your mother's maiden name. Was it Montresor?" "Oh no! Just a plain New England name--mother is called Priscilla Amesbury, and my uncle was Peter Amesbury. I never heard of a Montresor in our family, either. But that doesn't say the old gentleman couldn't have chosen an assumed name, you know." Eleanor and Polly were plainly disappointed that the names of the Klondike uncle and the hero of Polly's life, were not the same. Jim laughed when he saw the girls' evident regret. "Any one would think you two girls were anxious to share your gold-mine with the heir of old Montresor. Now what is there to hinder me from claiming the old man as _my_ uncle and telling you he is a twin-brother of my father's? That will make me the heir to that mine." "We wouldn't believe you, because you haven't one bit of resemblance to this friend Polly knew, but Kenneth has. That is why it may turn out that Montresor really was his uncle," said Eleanor. As the sun went down back of Rainbow Cliffs, the two boys regretfully said good-by. Mrs. Brewster planned for them to come and spend the following Sunday at Pebbly Pit with John and Tom there, provided the crew was not too far removed for the trip. The boys promised to send word by mail, as Jake rode to Oak Creek two or three times a week, and could mail a note from them if they were to be within riding distance. "We might even find a way to lose the valuable transit and then have to come and hunt for it," laughed Kenneth, as they got into their saddles for the return ride. "But you didn't find the tripod! What will Jake say?" asked Polly, anxiously. "We'll let you know next Sunday," laughed both the boys. That night when Jake smuggled his two horses back to the corral with the crew's mounts, he turned to the boys and said: "Whar did you-all leave it?" "Leave what?" asked Jim, wonderingly. "Why, mah tripod, yuh coyote!" grinned Jake, winking at Kenneth. "Oh, yes! Well, Jake, I had to leave it at Pebbly Pit because it was so heavy, but I'll go back for it next Sunday!" "Nah, yuh won't, eider--some one else brought in th' tripod and ha'r it 'tis!" With that Jake displayed the article wanted. "Who found it? No one could take a horse," exclaimed Jim, perplexed.