Page:Dave Porter on Cave Island.djvu/136

122 necessary she would give up this house to live in and move to a smaller place! Think of it! Why, her very heart is set on this house and these fine grounds! And Jessie thinks the world of them, too!"

"It would be awfully hard if they did have to give them up, Laura."

"Dave, can't father or Uncle Dunston help them, if they need help? "

"They have helped Mr. Wadsworth already—loaned him twenty thousand dollars so that he could put that new addition to the works. They also indorsed his note covering the safe return of the jewels. If those jewels aren't gotten back, and Mr. Wadsworth can't make good on that note, father and Uncle Dunston will have to pay the money."

"All of it?"

"As much as Mr. Wadsworth can't pay. And the worst of the whole matter is, Laura, just at present father and Uncle Dunston have their ready money tied up in such a manner that they can't get hold of it excepting at a great loss. Oh, it certainly is a terrible state of affairs!" And Dave shook his head, gravely.

During that week Ben had Shadow Hamilton and Buster Beggs visit him. Of course, the new arrivals had to hear all about the robbery,