"That was a wise move," complimented Mr. Bronson. "I want you to drive me to Mr. James Newcomb's. Your father told me he lived out of the village." "About a mile," replied Fred. "What sort of a man is he?" "Hard as nails." "H'm. Is he fond of money?" "Yes." "Good." And, as he noticed the look of entreaty in the boy's eyes, Mr. Bronson continued: "A very good friend of your father's has almost secured control of the stock of Montgomery's bank. I have the power to vote this stock. But I want five more shares, which I hope to get from Newcomb. If I do, I shall call a meeting of the directors, oust Montgomery, elect myself president, and start an investigation of the bank's books--which I am convinced will give us the evidence we need to proceed against Montgomery and Gibbs." "But how will that help father?" "The books will show when the money on your father's check was paid. I hope also to find the check--which Montgomery refused to surrender--to be compared with Gibbs' writing. By the way, Gibbs was in Manchester trying to borrow money under an assumed name." "Oh, I hope Marg's at home!" exclaimed Fred. "Why?" asked the lawyer, smiling. "Because she can make her father do anything." "She's a good friend of yours?" "Very." "Then perhaps you had better explain matters to her before I talk with Mr. Newcomb." This plan agreed upon, Fred went into the house alone, and, to his delight, found Margie, to whom he made things clear. "Of course father'll do it!" she cried. "Come, we'll ask him together." But although he listened intently, Mr. Newcomb refused to commit himself, saying he would talk with the lawyer. Briefly Mr. Bronson stated his purpose, offering two hundred dollars apiece for the shares, just double their market price. And, shrewdly judging the old man, he produced ten crisp one-hundred-dollar bills as he spoke. An instant Mr. Newcomb gazed at the money. "Margie, get them shares of stock," he finally said. Jubilant, Mr. Bronson saw to the transfer of the certificates, and invited Mr. Newcomb to be at the bank at half-past two o'clock, saying Fred's father had suggested his name as a director, an honor which delighted the old man greatly. Promising to meet Margie after the game, Fred and the lawyer reëntered the buggy, arriving by a roundabout way at the boy's home. On the way back from the stable, Fred saw Mr. Montgomery and Charlie Gibbs ahead of him, talking excitedly as they walked along. "I tell you, you _must_ go to the cave and destroy that check," declared the bank president. "Not without you," returned Gibbs. "I'm no fool." "Come on, then," growled the millionaire, and they abruptly turned from Main Street, setting their course toward Spy mountain. Scarcely able to contain himself, Fred rushed into a nearby store and asked for pen and paper.