Trembling, Henry Robinson stepped forward. His face had been illuminated by a glow of incredulous hope from the moment he learned of the discovery of the loot. "Am I really cleared?" he asked. "I knew things looked bad against me all along. I hardly dared hope--" "I guess you'll be let off now all right," said Chief Collig grudgingly. "There will be formalities, of course," said Fenton Hardy. "But I'm pretty sure the prosecution won't continue. The discovery of this loot proves Red Jackley's story was correct from start to finish." "But how about that nine hundred dollars?" demanded Smuff suspiciously. Mr. Robinson straightened up. "I'm sorry," he said, "but even yet I can't explain that. I can in a few days, perhaps; but I've promised to keep silent about that money. It's a private matter entirely." "I don't think we need bother about that," objected Hurd Applegate. "I've checked over the treasure and it's all there. All the bonds and all the jewelry. There is nothing missing. As for the nine hundred dollars, why, that is Mr. Robinson's own affair." Reluctantly, Smuff subsided into silence. "Will you come back into my employ, Mr. Robinson?" asked Hurd Applegate. "Of course, I feel very keenly, because you were unjustly accused, and I want to make it up to you. If you will consent to come back to Tower Mansion as caretaker again I will increase your salary, and I'll also insist that you accept back pay for the time you were away." "Why," stammered Mr. Robinson, "this is good of you, Mr. Applegate. Of course I'll come back, I'll be glad to. It'll mean a lot to my wife and daughters--and to Perry. He'll be able to go back to school again." "Good!" exclaimed Joe Hardy impulsively, slapping his knee. Then, finding that he had attracted attention to himself, he sank back into his chair, embarrassed. "And as for the Hardy boys," proceeded Hurd Applegate, "seeing they discovered the treasure--" "Real detectives," shrilled Adelia. "Real detectives, both of them! Smart lads!" "Yes, they showed some real detective work, and I hope they grow up to follow in their father's footsteps. But, as I was saying, they discovered the treasure, so of course they will get the reward." "A thousand bucks!" exclaimed Detective Smuff, in awe. "Dollars, Mr. Smuff--dollars!" corrected Adelia Applegate severely. "No slang please, not in Tower Mansion." "One thousand iron men!" declared Smuff, unheeding. "One thousand round, fat, juicy smackers for a couple of kids! And a real detective like me--!" The thought was too much for him. He sank his head in his hands and groaned aloud. Frank and Joe did not dare look at each other. They were finding it difficult enough to restrain their laughter without that. "Yes, a thousand dollars," went on Hurd Applegate. "I'll write the checks now. Five hundred for each."