"I think，sir，"said Joe，striving to curbb his elationc，"that it will be better in the end for us to accept the royalty.Don't you？""I do，indeed，my boy，"was the reply."For if our people make an offer for the land of two hundred thousand you may rest assured it is worth much more.The manager has confided to me in his letter that if we are obliged to pay royalties the timber will cost us nearly double what it would by an outright purchase of the tract.""In that case，sir，"began Joe，eagerly，"we will—""Nonsense.The company can afford the royalty，Joe，for it is making a heap of money—more than I wish it were.One of my greatest trials is to take care of the money I've already made，and—""And he couldn't do it at all without my help，"broke inthe Major."Don't ye hesitate to take an advantage of him，Joseph，if ye can get it—which I doubt—for Mr.Merrick is most disgracefully rich already.""That's true，"sighed the little millionaire."So it will bea royalty，Joe.We are paying the same percentage to Bob West for the Almaquo tract，but yours is so much better that I am sure your earnings will furnish you and Ethel with all the income you need."They sat discoursing upon the happy event for some timelonger，but Joe had to return to the hotel early because he was not yet strong enough to be out late.
"Before I go，Mr.Merrick，"he said，"I'd like you to giveme my mother's picture，which is in the secret drawer of the cupboard.You have the keys，now，and Ethel is curious to see how my mother looked."Uncle John went at once to the cupboard and unlocked the doors.Joe himself pushed the slide and took out of the drawer the picture，which had lain just beneath the Almaquo stock certi？cates.
The picture was passed reverently around.A sweet—faced，sad little woman it showed，with appealing eyes and lips that seemed to quiver even in the photograph.
As Louise held it in her hand something induced her to turn it over.
"Here is some writing upon the back，"she said.
Joe bent over and read it aloud.It was in his father's handwriting.
"'Press the spring in the left hand lower corner of the secret drawer.'""Hah！"cried Uncle John，while the others stared stupidly.
"That's it！That's the information we've been wanting so long，Joseph！"He ran to the cupboard，even as he spoke，and while they all throngeda about him thrust in his hand，felt for thespring，and pressed it.
The bottom of the drawer lifted，showing another cavity beneath.From this the searcher withdrew a long envelope，tied with red tape.
"At last，Joseph！"he shouted，triumphantly wavingthe envelope over his head.And then he read aloud the words docketeda upon the outside："'Warranty Deed and Conveyance from Charles Walton to Jonas Wegg and William Thompson.'Our troubles are over，my boy，for here is the key to your fortune.""Also，"whispered Louise to her cousins，ratherdisconsolatelyb，"it explains the last shred of mystery about the Wegg case.Heigh—ho！what a chase we've had for nothing！""Not for nothing，dear，"replied Patsy，softly，"for we've helped make two people happy，and that ought to repay us for all our anxiety and labor."A knock was heard at the door，and Old Hucks enteredand handed Mr.Merrick a paper.
"He's waiting，sir，"said he，ambiguously."Oh，Tom—Tom！"cried Joe Wegg，rising to throwhis arms around the old man's neck，"I'm rich，Tom—all my troubles are over—and Mr.Merrick has done it all—for Ethel and me！"The ever smiling face of the ancient retainer did not change，but his eyes softened and filled with tears as hehugged the boy close to his breast.
"God be praised.Joe！"he said in a low voice."I allus knew the Merricks 'd bring us luck.""What the devil does this mean？"demanded Uncle Johnat this juncture，as he fluttered the paper and glared angrily around.
"What is it，dear？"inquired Louise.
"See for yourself，"he returned.
She took the paper and read it，while Patsy and Beth peered over her shoulder.The following was scrawled upon a sheet of soiled stationery：
"John Merrak，esquare，to Marshall McMahon McNutt，detter.
"To yur gals Smashin'162mellings at 50cents a one$81.00Pleas remitt &save trouble."The nieces screamed，laughing until they cried，while Uncle John spluttereda，smiled，beamed，and then requested an explanation.
Patsy told the story of the watermelon raid with rare humor，and it served to amuse everybody and relieve the strain that had preceded the arrival of McNutt's bill.
"Did you say the man is waiting，Thomas？"asked UncleJohn.
"Yes，sir."
"Here—give him five dollars and tell him to receipt thebill.If he refuses，I'll carry the matter to the courts.McNutt's a rascal，and a fool in the bargain；but we've had some of his melons and the girls have had five dollars'worth of fun in getting them.But assure him that this squares accounts，Thomas."Thomas performed his mission.
McNutt rolled his eyes，pounded the ？oor with his stump to emphasize his mingled anger and satisfaction，and then receipted the bill.
"It's jest five more'n I 'spected to git，Hucks，"he saidwith a grin."But what's the use o'havin'nabobs around，ef ye don't bleed 'em？"