Then, by wire, Theodore Dodge learned that Grace's condition was all right, needing only care and time.

So he did not hasten back on that account.
When he did return to Gridley, Mr.Dodge hunted up Lawyer Ripley.
"I must reward those boys, and handsomely," he explained to the lawyer.

"Their splendid conduct demands it." "I am sorry, Dodge, that you have been so long in coming to such a conclusion," replied the lawyer, almost coldly.
"What do you mean ?" "Why, you still owe Prescott and Darrin that thousand dollars offered by your family as a reward for finding you when your misfortune happened." "But my son, Bert------" "Is the bitter enemy of young Prescott, who is one of the manliest young fellows ever reared in Gridley." "But my wife has also opposed my paying the reward," argued Mr.
Dodge.

"She declares that the two boys were out on a jaunt and just stumbled upon me." "Your wife, like all good mothers, is much inclined to take the part of her own son," rejoined Lawyer Ripley.

"However, at the time Prescott and Darrin found you, they were not out on a jaunt.
They were serving 'The Blade,' and I happen to know that the young men did some remarkably good detective work in trailing and rescuing you.