there's no chance of its coming true. But what would Rex say if it
did? Ah, here comes Syd."

Roy left the porch and hurried out to the gate to meet the fellow who
had been nearer and dearer to him than a brother as far back as he
could remember.

"Poor old chap," he said as they met and he turned around, slipping
his arm within that of the tall young lawyer, "it was a shame to make
you walk all that distance in the hot sun when you must be tired out
from your day in town. But there's a job at the end of the walk."

"And a cheerful brother, too," added the other. "Poor Rex! I saw him
over at the station. He takes it terribly to heart that he cannot go
off with the Bowmans. I wish I were rich, if only for you boys' sakes.
But what's this heroic deed I hear of your doing for old Mr. Tyler?
Positively, Roy, I'm proud of you."

"Oh, the train didn't come along for a good five minutes after I'd got
him off the trestle. You see that takes a good deal of the 'heroic
rescue' business out of the thing. But come on inside. He's been quite
anxious to see you. I've made him lie down, for I think he's in a very
bad way."

CHAPTER III

MR. TYLER'S WILL

"Is that you, Sydney Pell?" called out Mr. Tyler as soon as he heard
footsteps in the hallway.