"Say," observed the farmer, dazzled at the sight of the pretty document,
"you mean you'll give all that security and interest for a loan of seventy-
five dollars?"

"To an honest man who won't run away with the security, yes."

"I can show you letters telling you who I am," declared the farmer, perking
up with pride. "Straight business with me, neighbor. I reckon I can dig up
seventy-five dollars on any occasion."

"Look over the certificate, friend. You'll find the signatures all right.
D. Burlingame Gould, president--you've heard of the Goulds?"

"In the paper, certainly."

"He's one of them. Robert Winstanley Astorbilt, secretary, prominent New
York banker. Excuse me, I've got to get a drink of water. You won't find
better security in this country than a share of stock of the Little Wonder
Bonanza Mining & Milling Company of Montana."

"Hello!" said Frank to himself with a start "The Little Wonder--why, where
did I see that name? I've got it! There's an item in the very newspaper
I've been reading about it."

The stranger had proceeded to the water tank. He purposely left the farmer
dazzled with his proposition to think over it. The latter sat in a sort of
trance of avarice, staring at the enticing stock certificate.

A plan to confuse and outwit the swindler occurred to our hero. He was