CHAPTER XL
ALAN’S FORTUNE
It was a happy family party that gathered around the humble fireside of Solomon Bertram the day following the occurrences described in the last chapter.
Will Bertram never forgot the tearful, delighted welcome he received when his father and mother folded him in their arms with grateful hearts as one from the dead.
Willis and Tom and Hugo were also there, and, when the first raptures of welcome had subsided, the boys retired to a corner and talked over their past adventures, while the older people discussed the more momentous issues of the hour.
It was towards evening when an interruption to the harmony of the happy reunion occurred.
A knock at the door was followed by the entrance of a man the Bertrams knew very well.
It was Captain Morris’ lawyer, Mr. Rowe. He nodded to the occupants of the room and then addressed himself to Mr. Bertram.
“I wished to see you privately, Mr. Bertram,” he said.
“You can speak out,” replied Will’s father. “It’s about the mortgage, I suppose?”
“Yes. Captain Morris has ordered me to proceed in the matter.”
“In what way?”
“The last interest note is past due.”
“If you would wait a few days I might be able to pay it.”
“I can’t wait, Mr. Bertram. Captain Morris’ orders were definite.”
Mr. Bertram looked anxious and troubled.
Alan stepped forward abruptly.
“How much is it?” he asked.
“The interest note—”
“No; the entire amount of this mortgage.”
The lawyer looked surprised but named the amount.
“I will pay it,” said Alan.
“You?” cried Mr. Bertram, amazedly.
“Yes,” and Captain Bertram drew from his pocket a large wallet.
It was filled to repletion with bills of large denomination.
“Alan! Alan!” cried Mrs. Bertram, “where did you get all that money?”
“It’s mine, honestly earned. Never fear, Mother,” replied Alan, a proud smile on his lips. “Now, Mr. Rowe, there’s your money, and that pays the mortgage.”
Mr. Rowe muttered something about being sorry he had to act so harshly, but it was Morris’ orders.
Then he handed the papers to Alan and left the house.
Tears of joy stood in Mr. Bertram’s eyes as he clasped his son’s hand.
“You have saved us from homelessness in our old age, but what does this mystery of the money mean, you who lost all in the Albatross?”
Alan smiled mysteriously, while old Jack chuckled serenely.
“It’s quite a story,” said Captain Bertram.
“Tell it, Alan,” cried Will, curiously.
“We are no longer poor. This pocketbook contains ten times the amount of the mortgage, and it is all ours.”
The boys crowded around Alan.
“How did you come by the money, Alan?” asked Mrs. Bertram.
“It can be told in a single word.”
“What is that?” asked Will, excitedly.
“Ambergris.”
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