"Not much! It's worse than ever since Hank put his signature on it. I guess your two hundred and fifty dollars are gone." "Never mind, I helped Henry, anyhow. Maybe he'll pull through. He's a hard worker." "Gentleman to see you, sir," interrupted McIverson, putting his head into the office. "Says he has an appointment with you." "What is the name?" asked Mr. Hamilton. "Mr. Franklin Vanderhoof," announced the messenger, with a rolling tone that denoted the person to be of apparent importance. "Oh, yes. I'd forgotten. I'll see him at once. Dick, will you excuse me. I have some business to discuss with Mr. Vanderhoof." As Dick bade his father good-bye and left the office he saw entering it a man, well dressed, and with a very black moustache. At the sight of the man's face Dick started. "Where have I seen him before?" the youth asked himself. "There is something strange about that man. I wish I knew what his business was." CHAPTER XII GOLD MINE STOCK Dick looked sharply at the stranger as he passed the man. Mr. Vanderhoof smiled, but when he did Dick thought the attempted pleasantry resembled the grin of a cat when it is about to pounce upon a helpless mouse. With a scarcely perceptible nod to Dick, Mr. Vanderhoof entered Mr. Hamilton's private office and closed the door. "I've seen you before, I'm sure of it," mused Dick, as he left the bank. "I can't just think where, but there's something familiar about you. I don't like your looks, though I suppose you must be all right or dad wouldn't have much to do with you. I must ask him about you." Dick found an opportunity a few evenings later. He saw his father looking over some papers in the library at home, and, going in, inquired if Mr. Hamilton was busy. "Not very," replied the millionaire. "I'm just looking over some new stock I bought to-day. Dick, I'm part owner in a gold mine, in addition to my many other lines of industry," and he laughed pleasantly. "A gold mine, dad?" "Yes, a gold mine in--let's see where is it now--oh, in Yazoo City, Nevada. Of course, I don't own the whole mine, I've only bought some stock in it. There it is. I own a thousand shares in the Hop Toad Mine, and I hope they do as toads do, and 'jump' in value." "A gold mine," repeated Dick. "That would suit me. Why didn't I think of it before." "How do you mean, Dick?" "I mean, why didn't I invest in something like that." "Well, it's not too late, I suppose." "Do you mean I can get some shares, dad?" "I don't know that you can in the Hop Toad Mine, as I understand they're all sold out, but I guess Mr. Vanderhoof has shares in other mines just as good." "Oh, is that what Mr. Vanderhoof is--a mining man?" "Well, not exactly a mining man. He sells stock in mines. He's what they call a promoter. Why, do you know him?"