"Oh, some of these planters are immensely wealthy," answered Sam.
As they drove into the grounds they saw a young man playing with a bird dog on the lawn. He smiled at them pleasantly.
"Is this Mr. Harold Bird?" asked Dick.
"Yes," was the reply. "What can I do for you?"
"Let me introduce myself, Mr. Bird. I am Dick Rover, and these are my brothers, Sam and Tom. These are my friends, Fred Garrison and John Powell."
"Is it possible!" exclaimed Harold Bird. "Why, I was reading about you only yesterday, in the newspaper. You are the young fellows who helped to round up that gang of counterfeiters at Red Rock ranch. It was certainly a stirring piece of work. You deserve a great deal of credit." And then the young Southerner shook hands all around.
"Mr. Bird, we are in trouble," went on Dick, "and we thought that perhaps you would be able to help us out."
"I will certainly do anything that I possibly can for you. Come, sit down and tell me what is wrong."
The young Southerner led the way to the broad veranda, and all took seats. Then Dick and the others told about the missing houseboat and of
