"Well, I imagine I can do that too," answered Jefferson Wilbur, and a strange smile shone on his face. "Can you? Well, we'll see. You'll have to go a long way around to get to the river, or the railroad either." "Not at all--that is, if I can make the necessary arrangement with Dale Bradford here--and I think I can." "An arrangement with me?" queried Dale, in bewilderment. "What do you mean, Mr. Wilbur?" "I mean this: this lumber tract is really divided into two parts. The upper part, that away from the creek, belongs to me outright. This part down here I always supposed belonged to Ulmer Balasco, for he said he had purchased it from some mining company that had gone to pieces. But when you sent out those documents about your late father's mining claim, I had them investigated by my lawyers, and they have discovered that this claim does not belong to Ulmer Balasco at all, but to you!" CHAPTER XXXV END OF THE CONTRACT AND OF THE STORY For the moment Dale thought he must be dreaming. This section of the lumber camp his own property! It was too good to be true. "Mr. Wilbur, do you mean----" he began. "That is, are you sure----" "Yes, Bradford, the lawyers are certain that this claim belongs to you, since you are your late father's sole heir. Ulmer Balasco does not own a foot of the ground, nor a single stick of timber." "It is false!" cried Ulmer Balasco, but his voice was weak and uncertain. "I have said it is true, and before long I will prove it to the satisfaction of everybody," went on Jefferson Wilbur. "Balasco got hold of the claim by a trick, after the mine that was once located along the creek stopped operations. He learned that your father was dead, and thought that he was safe." "But didn't he know the name was the same?" questioned Owen. "Bradford's father bought the claim from the Wardell Mining Company, run by a man named Henry Wardell, a schemer who was at one time in business with Foxy Hildan. It is possible that Balasco thought the claim was still in the Wardell family, after Wardell himself died." "I--I bought the claim from Wardell," said Balasco. "I--I can prove it by Hildan." "That story won't stand investigation, Balasco. The Bradford claim is a matter of record, and cannot be shaken. If you want to go to law over it you may do so, but I'll stand by Bradford. I don't think it will pay either you or Hildan to get into a courtroom." As Jefferson Wilbur concluded he turned, just in time to see Foxy Hildan slipping out of the doorway to the main office. "He is running away!" cried Owen. "If you want him I'll catch him!" replied Bruce, who was nearest to the door. In a twinkling he was outside, and running after Foxy Hildan. He caught up to the man with ease, and putting out his foot, sent Hildan sprawling headlong over a pile of chips. When the man arose Bruce caught him firmly by the arm. "Let go of me, you young rascal!"